Going into the draft, there were rumors the Raiders might be looking for an offensive tackle with sixth-overall pick.
At the time, there were conflicting reports about how interested the Raiders might be in upgrading at offensive tackle, but when two of their first five picks were used on players with experience at offensive tackle, it was a good indication GM John Spytek felt he needed help at the position.
Since the draft, though, there have been a few positive developments in Vegas at the tackle position.
Based on the way the offseason has been playing out, it seems like Kolton Miller will probably be the team’s long-term plan at left tackle if he can stay healthy in 2025. And at right tackle, second-year player D.J. Glaze has been the favorite to win the job, but there has been reason to believe the decision wouldn’t be made until at least training camp.
But based on comments around the team in recent weeks, it sounds like Glaze is a little more than just “penciled-in” to the starting job.
Las Vegas Review-Journal insider Vinny Bonsignore talked about Glaze last week and he shared a strong message on the former third-round pick.
“I can remember last year when the pads did come on, literally that day when the pads came on for the first time, a guy that really passed the test to me was a guy by the name of D.J. Glaze. Who knew at that point what that was going to end up becoming for D.J. Glaze?” Bonsignore said on the Vegas Nation podcast.
“But you got a glimpse of it day one of training camp when they finally put the pads on. He more than held his own getting thrown into the fire,” Bonsignore continued. “Fast forward a few months later, and this is a guy that solidified himself as the Raiders starting right tackle, and by the sounds of it, talking to Pete Carroll, he’s picked up right where he left off and really caught the eye of the veteran coach.”
Not to read into Bonsignore’s comments too much, but it’s hard to translate “solidified” as the Raiders’ starting right tackle as anything other than Glaze being the projected starter and seemingly distancing himself at the top of the depth chart.
x: @raidersbeat
Don’t trust any reports coming out this early about anything the Raiders do or who is reporting it. These guys need to start earning the trust of the fan base first!! Every year for the last 20 years they get you filled with hope about this or that and always proves to be a tremendous let down. These so called insiders know no more than we do. We will all know the same thing after the pre season. Then the first 6 or 7 games will tell the story
Glaze played decently last season. Hopefully, he can improve on last year’s performance. He appears to have some talent and a good attitude. As a fan, I’m just glad they have given up on trying to make Munford the starting RT!
As a diehard fan of the “Nation I don’t see any harm in having preseason optimism and opinions about how things look as long as you mix a little caution as well. Sometimes optimism can be channelled into a powerful force.