How bad do the Las Vegas Raiders actually need help on the O-line?
How badly do the Raiders really need O-line help?
Countering arguments before they begin
It’s not my intention to argue the Raiders can’t upgrade from what they have now, but rather that there might not be a need to. Again, that absolutely isn’t to say Las Vegas doesn’t have better options available. After all, a player like Daryl Williams could come in and immediately be the best player at his position.
What I really want to do was explain why the situation isn’t as dire as Raider Nation may think it is. That said, let’s go over some counterarguments fans may have as to why the line shouldn’t be trusted.
It’s only preseason
Yes, this is absolutely true, but players can still showcase talent and technique. Numbers aren’t too important during the preseason, but how you accumulate those numbers are.
For example, if you’re showcasing an impressive technique at the tackle position which could easily be translated to succeeding against most NFL pass rushers, that means a lot. If you’re keeping the quarterback clean by way of taking advantage of the lesser talent in the preseason with no real technique, it means almost nothing. For the most part, these guys have shown great technique and a much-improved skillset.
Besides, it would be hard – almost impossible – for Leatherwood not to improve after posting an outstandingly dreadful pass block grade of 29.0 one season ago. Simpson, James, and Cotton are all in the same boat of improved technique, allowing only 5 combined pressures through two contests.
Daryl Williams is better
Yes, in all likelihood Daryl Williams would be an immediate upgrade. However, there’s likely a downside to that – player development.
I know, I know. After watching Leatherwood play so poorly last year that he somehow managed to earn a pass blocking grade of under 30, the last thing Raider Nation wants to hear is ‘player development. I get that, I really do.
Still, it’s an important concept.
Las Vegas must get a glimpse of Leatherwood in year two to see where the team stands with the 23-year-old. It’s equally important for the Raiders to know what have in their seventh-round rookie tackle who’s been impressive up to this point. While Williams would be an upgrade, for now, it isn’t beneficial in the bigger picture. Leatherwood and Munford, on the other hand, are.
Besides, the free agent market will always be there if both the Leatherwood and Munford experiments go south. Perhaps Williams won’t be available, but a starting caliber tackle such as Nate Solder, Bryan Bulaga, or Eric Fisher should be. These guys should be able to come in for one year and hold the position down should the current right tackles start trending downward.
Thayer Munford was a seventh-round pick, how good can he be?
Alright, I’m not sure how often this one is used, if at all. Still, it’s best to close this argument before it can even be made.
Munford can be great despite being a seventh-round pick. In fact, looking at the Raiders’ roster, some of the best players have been later picks. Las Vegas has found two Pro Bowlers in Maxx Crosby and Hunter Renfrow when searching Day 3, as well as ’21 sensation Nate Hobbs who logged the highest grade when playing nickelback last year.
Some of the best offensive linemen in league history have gone undrafted. 2x first-team All-Pro Brian Waters, legendary All-Pro Jeff Saturday, and even Hall of Famers Jim Langer, Lou Groza, and Larry Little. Hey, Raider Nation; I hope you didn’t forget about Jim Otto either.
Aside from Brian Waters, who annoyed Raiders’ pass rushers for a decade, 9x Pro Bowl tackle Jason Peters should serve as another great example of why it doesn’t matter where you’re drafted.