The Raiders need at guard is two-fold. As in they are going to need two of them. With it increasingly appearing as if the Raiders will let center Andre James leave in free agency, that could signal they will finally be moving Dylan Parham to center, leaving both guard spots in need of a new starter.
It’s said to be a strong class along the offensive line, but in the interest of not using all their picks to fill the OL (they need a tackle too), they would do well to try and get a starter in free agency first and possibly an insurance plan as a potential second starter in case the draft doesn’t fall their way.
These are the top five options to fill those roles.
Robert Hunt (27)
The former second round pick started every game at RG the past three seasons in Miami. He missed six games last season, but before that he’d never missed a game.
Kevin Dotson (27)
A full time starter past two seasons in Pittsburgh and LA with the Rams, Dotson had one of his best seasons in 2023. His Pro Football Focus grade jumped from a 65 in 2022 to an 85 last season. He will be a hot commodity should the Rams let him test the market.
Jonah Jackson (27)
The former round three pick started every game at LG for four seasons in Detroit. He also played outstanding in the Lions playoff run this past year.
Laken Tomlinson (32)
After a Pro Bowl season for the 49ers in 2021, he signed a big contract with the Jets and never quite lived up to it. Leading to his being cut this offseason. There’s one degree of separation with Raiders new OL coach James Cregg. Tomlinson played with the 49ers for OL coach Chris Foerster from 2020-21 and Cregg was the assistant OL coach under Foerster in 2022-23. So, perhaps, Tomlinson returning to a blocking scheme he’s more familiar with could rebound his career.
Cody Whitehair (31)
Whitehair would bring some familiarity in Luke Getsy’s system, having played for him in Chicago the past two seasons. The former second round pick started his career at center where he went to a Pro Bowl in 2018, so he has that versatility.
