Now that the draft is over and free agency is winding down, the Las Vegas Raiders’ roster heading into training camp is just about set. On the offensive line, there is sure to be a ton of competition. Let’s take a look at how this group measures up against one another at the moment.
Ranking the top five offensive linemen for the Raiders
No. 1 – Kolton Miller
This one was easy. Miller is the only member of this group that would be considered a high-end starter. On top of that, he’s doing so at the most important position on the line. The former UCLA Bruin has continued to climb the rankings of the top left tackles in the league. Expect that to continue in 2022.
No. 2 – Andre James
This is where things start to get more debatable. The Raiders’ center finds himself at number two on this list largely because of his improvement over the course of last season. After a somewhat shaky start to his first season as the full-time starter, James found his groove and was playing at a high level by the end of the season. He is certainly trending in the right direction.
#68 Andre James 🥴 pic.twitter.com/FomN1VQchz
— ðŸ…🄰🄸🄳🄴🅠🄽🄰🅃🄸🄾🄽 ðŸ´â€â˜ ï¸ (@V1vaLosRa1ders) October 10, 2021
No. 3 – Denzelle Good
A big reason why Good is behind James on this list is the fact that he missed just about all of last season with a torn ACL. It was unfortunate considering the fact that he was coming off a 2020 campaign that saw him establish himself as an integral part of the offensive line. Now we will have to see what the 31-year-old looks like coming off a major injury. Despite all that, Good stays in the top three because of his versatility. He can play all five spots at a serviceable level, though guard is probably his best position. Without a clear starter at both guard spots and right tackle, a Swiss army knife type of player has immense value.
No. 4 – Alex Leatherwood
At this point in the list, things become even murkier. Leatherwood had a rough first season that saw him move away from the position at which he was drafted in the first round. It is unclear where the Alabama product will play in 2022. Personally, I have never considered Leatherwood to be an NFL tackle. However, circumstances might see him back there once again. The Raiders have much more depth on the interior than they do at tackle. Unfortunately, this would stunt the sophomore’s growth as a guard, and he would likely see himself tumble down this list a bit.
No. 5 – Dylan Parham
The Raiders’ selection of Parham in the third round of this year’s draft is a big part of that aforementioned depth on the inside. The rookie out of Memphis looks capable of starting at guard right away. Both spots are up for grabs at the moment. Parham is right in the thick of that competition, which is reflected by this ranking.
This is legitimately the best block I've seen all day, and I've been watching two bowl games. Dylan Parham I wanted to see you at center and this reach block makes it worth the wait. pic.twitter.com/84WzlKGt5I
— Matt Alkire (@mattalkire) February 2, 2022
How do the rest of the Raiders’ linemen shape up?
No. 6 – John Simpson
The former Clemson Tiger found himself in a full-time starter role for the first time in his career last season. This was due in large part to yet another Richie Incognito injury. Unfortunately, even by the end of the season, Simpson did not show many signs that he could be a starter for the Raiders in the long term. His below-average play was marred by bad penalties. That being said, he is still young. If he makes some decent improvements this upcoming season, he could find himself back in a starting spot once again.
No. 7 – Brandon Parker
Despite starting over 30 games at right tackle in his first four seasons, Parker has yet to establish himself as “the guy” opposite Kolton Miller. When the Raiders drafted the six-foot-eight, 320-pounder out of North Carolina A & T in the third round of 2018, he was considered a project. That project has not gone well. Parker has managed to stick around, mainly because the team hasn’t found anyone else who is decent. That remains the case heading into 2022.
No. 8 – Thayer Munford Jr.
Munford is arguably the biggest threat to supplant Parker heading into the 2022 season. The seventh-round rookie out of Ohio State has a ton of experience against top competition. However, not all of that tape is great. At least for now, Parker has the edge, but this is something to watch in training camp.
Very impressive first performance at guard for Thayer Munford. Love his play/grip strength, body control to sustain blocks, and finishing mentality. pic.twitter.com/NBGeYcDwp5
— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) September 8, 2021
No. 9 – Hroniss Grasu
We are now at a point on the list where we are looking at bottom of the roster guys and guys that probably won’t make the team. Grasu is a backup center who could play guard in an emergency. If the Raiders opt to keep two true centers, Grasu should make the team. The fact that many of the guys above him on this list have experience snapping the ball hurts his chances.
No. 10 – Alex Bars
Bars is purely a depth lineman, whose main value is that you can plug him in wherever. He is just another body. Whether or not he makes the final 53 comes down to injuries, the performance of rookies, and how many linemen Josh McDaniels and Dave Ziegler decide to roster.
The Rest
12. Bamidele Olaseni
14. Jordan Meredith
15. Jackson Barton
16. Tyrone Wheatley Jr.
Eluemenor could make the roster, but he was so bad at replacing Good this year that the team benched him. Olaseni is a dark horse UDFA that should, at the very least, make the practice squad. Wheatley is a converted tight end whose size gives him potential, but his last name is likely the bigger reason why he is getting a camp invite.
[pickup_prop id=”21986″]
*Top Photo: Associated Press/Rick Scuteri