It was just over a month ago when the Raiders took the field for this year’s training camp. At that time, the only settled spot on the Raiders’ offensive line was Kolton Miller at left tackle. It would appear the rest of the line is taking shape as well.
Let’s look at each position and how it has changed, going from right to left.
Right tackle
At first, it looked like 2021 top pick Alex Leatherwood would get the first crack. Then it was Brandon Parker who was running with the first team. Both of them had dreadful performances in the preseason — first Parker at left tackle, and then Leatherwood at right tackle.
Rookie seventh-round pick Thayer Munford was given a look at right tackle and held his own, while Eluemunor played at left tackle. Munford is now out injured, and with Miller at his left tackle with the first team against the Patriots, Eluemunor was the first team right tackle while Leatherwood came in with the second team.
Eluemunor started at right tackle for Josh McDaniels in New England and he is getting a real shot to grab that job with the Raiders as well.
“I hear about what he’s been doing and the workouts he’s been doing and he looks great,” Derek Carr said of Eluemunor. “Really proud of where he was, where he’s come from, and where he is now. I’m excited to see him just keep growing.”
Right guard
It initially seemed like Lester Cotton Sr was a placeholder until Denzelle Good returned from injury. Then Good returned and promptly retired and Cotton has remained. The former undrafted free agent has drawn praise for showing vast improvement this year, going from practice squad player to projected starter.
Center
The only other offensive lineman besides Miller who has held onto the same spot he had when camp began is center Andre James.
Left guard
As recent as a week ago, it appeared John Simpson was going to return as the starting left guard. Now it’s not looking that way.
In last weekend’s game in Miami, it was rookie third-round pick Dylan Parham who got the start, with Simpson coming in later and Parham moved over to center with the second team.
That continued in joint practices with the Patriots on Tuesday, looking like Parham has passed up Simpson as the favorite to start at left guard.
“He’s got some areas that I’m sure he’s going to want to continue to improve in, but from where he’s started he’s come a long way,” Carr said of Parham. “He’s come a long way. He’s trying to do it the right way and at that position, you’ve got to do it the right way. He’s doing that and I’m proud of him. He’s working really hard and our coaches are pushing him to get everything out of him and he’s accepting it really well.”
Projected lineup
If the season ended today, the starting offensive line would be:
LT Kolton Miller
LG Dylan Parham
C Andre James
RG Lester Cotton Sr
RT Jermaine Eluemunor
This is, of course, barring any additions to try and upgrade the starting lineup with under three weeks until the start of the season.
