The Raiders overcame a lot during last season to make the playoffs. From their No. 1 receiver ending up in jail to their coach resigning mid-year, it was a shock the Raiders were able to find success.
But if the Raiders want to make the playoffs again this season, they are going to have to battle some adversity. One challenge for the Raiders that is already developing is on their offensive line. Projected starter Denzelle Good retired during training camp and that leaves a big hole in the middle of their offensive line.
In a recent article by Eric Edholm of NFL.com, he mentioned the offensive line as the biggest challenge for the Raiders this year. Here is what he had to say about the unit entering the season.
“Josh McDaniels could have an offense bursting with potential if the Raiders can sort out the offensive line. Kolton Miller has developed nicely at left tackle, but there are questions at the other spots. At right tackle, embattled former first-round pick Alex Leatherwood will try to prove he’s not a bust.
Third-round pick Dylan Parham could earn a starting role at guard if he’s not tried at center. The player who had been penciled in to start at right guard, Denzelle Good, announced his retirement this week. There’s a lot to figure out, which makes the Raiders’ early reporting date all the more important here.”
Outside of the offensive line, the Raiders are a Super Bowl caliber team. They are loaded at wide receiver and they might have the best pass-rush duo in the league with Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones.
Having an average or even less-than-average offensive line doesn’t mean this team can’t win a bunch of games. Look no further than the Cincinnati Bengals last year, who beat the Raiders in the playoffs. Despite the worst offensive line in the NFL, they came within a few plays of winning the Super Bowl.
So it can be done, but the Raiders are hoping that their offensive line won’t be nearly as bad as what the Bengals had to deal with last season. The hope is that the unit can improve as the season goes on and that few young players, such as Parham, Leatherwood, and Simpson can all take big steps forward.
Time will tell if the Raiders are able to overcome their offensive line. If the answer is yes, this very well could be one of the final teams left in the tournament in January.