With free agency about five weeks away, it’s time to check in on the Raiders’ guard position to give it a condition of either Strong, Stable, Unstable, Serious, or Critical.
Starters: Gabe Jackson, Richie Incognito
Backups: John Simpson
Free agents: Denzelle Good
Gabe Jackson had a bounce-back season at right guard after struggling with nagging injuries the previous two seasons. He had been in trade talks last year, but the Raiders held onto him, and it worked out well.
Richie Incognito was lost for the season in week two and Denzelle Good stepped in at left guard to start the remainder of the season. And he filled in quite admirably, making a strong case for a starting job going forward.
The other option at guard is 2020 fourth-round pick John Simpson. He appeared in a handful of games last season but hasn’t shown nearly enough to hand him a starting job.
Condition: Unstable
Incognito will turn 38 this offseason. After missing 18 games the past two seasons, it could be time for him to hang up his cleats (again). Should that happen, it raises the necessity for re-signing Denzelle Good. Otherwise, he is headed for free agency and if the Raiders lose both Incognito and Good, they will have to find a suitable replacement to start at the left guard spot.
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