The next big date on the NFL calendar is the draft and it’s never too early to start speculating on who the Raiders might be targeting.
A lot can change in a month, but as of now the Raiders seem to have escaped free agency without signing a starting free safety or a starting right tackle. According to The Athletic’s Vic Tafur, the solution for the Raiders at right tackle will likely come through the draft as this doesn’t look like the best year to come away with a starting safety in the draft.
“All signs point to the Raiders drafting a tackle early and creating more competition,” Tafur wrote on Tuesday, noting that Brandon Parker and Denzelle Good are the team’s best options at right tackle as of now.
That doesn’t mean Jon Gruden won’t take a safety early in the draft, but it’s no secret that the 2021 draft class is loaded with good offensive linemen – particularly at tackle.
It’s also worth noting that Gruden’s second tenure with the Raiders isn’t exactly brimming with accomplished first-round picks. Arguably his best first-round pick was his first first-round pick: Kolton Miller. If there is a position coach that Gruden trusts the most, it would probably be offensive line coach Tom Cable. Most draft pundits didn’t love the Miller selection in 2018 and Cable has been a big part of why Gruden has mostly enjoyed the last laugh on that decision.
So why not go back to the well at offensive line one more time?
twitter: @raidersbeat
who was the GM that took Mack, Carr and Gabe Jackson in 2014? Reggie Mckenzie the very guy Gruden had fired to get to Mayock……that’s the problem when the Coyote has the keys to the chicken coop!
That’s funny, I read this as the exact opposite. Cable mentioned that Parker will get every opportunity to compete. Parker doesn’t have the problem most of the first rounder OTs have, short arms. Also. Tafur said the Goode will be competing with Ritchie and Simpson at OG.
As it stands today at this point in time the starting offensive line from left to right is Miller, Incognito, James, Martin, Good.
They said if James struggles at Center they will move Martin over to Center and figure out whether James can play Right Guard or not.
Brandon Parker is a total liability and we’ll wind up getting Derek Carr killed.
We dont need an OT right now more than we need a stud LB like a Devin White or a stud CB or Safety. I dont know where you get your signs but they are misleading. Denzel Good and Kolton Miller, just extended for $18m a yer yesterday will do just fine. Depth can be found in FA. If we waste draft capital on offense, it will be another year of struggling. Just look what White did for TB last year. Nuf said.
Huh…and Jacobs went to the pro bowl is not good?
Never thought I’d defend Grudock, but come on, Abrams and Ruggs were rookies last year in very challenging positions that take years to learn.
Same thing for the QB position.
Exactly
The Raiders should not even think about drafting a safety until the second round. Right now the best cover safety in this year’s draft is Jevon Holland and he is rated as a second or third round pick. Yes this year’s class is deep at offensive tackle, but the Raiders must think about the future. B. Parker is on the last year of his rookie contract and Kolton Miller is signed for the next few years. The team needs a right tackle of the future more than anything. Jalen Mayfield from Michigan would be my choice.
Denzel Good ring a bell?
The only question marks on the offense of line and not the tackles or the left guard the only? Is how the center right guard transition is going to work out. Stop denying reality. Defense is where are draft Capital needs to go not offense.