Oakland Raiders: Five Players Under The Most Pressure To Produce Now
By Kevin Saito
Oct 19, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders tackle Menelik Watson (71) reacts before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Taken in the 2013 draft, Watson is a mountain of a man at 6’5”, 310 lbs. He also hasn’t exactly been an overpowering presence on Oakland’s offensive line. With Austin Howard expected to move back to his natural position at tackle, most have expressed their belief that he will be the starter, and Watson, if he makes the roster at all, will be the back up.
Given the fact that many view him as a disappointment to this point, it’s easy to understand why they have Howard penciled in as the starter. Many have been quick to drop the “bust” label on him, such as writer Christopher Hanson who Tweeted out:
You want to talk about McKenzie's bad picks, start with Menelik Watson. Expecting much from prospects outside the top 100 is asinine.
— Christopher Hansen (@ChrisHansenNFL) May 4, 2015
But to be fair, Watson hasn’t been entirely terrible. In twelve starts last season, Watson gave up two sacks, two hits, and twenty one hurries. When you compare that with Austin Howard’s stats at tackle in 2013, the numbers are virtually identical. In sixteen games in 2013, Howard gave up two sacks, fifteen hits, and twenty one hurries.
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So given the relatively comparable stat line, why should Howard, in the minds of some, be presumed to have the spot nailed down? And why is Watson viewed so unfavorably when Howard is not?
It’s probably not as black and white as that, and there will likely be a fierce camp battle between the two for the starting spot. The right side of the line is a concern for some, but the Raiders might actually not be in terrible shape. With Khalif Barnes a serviceable guard, and whoever wins the Howard/Watson battle likely to be the starter – though we shouldn’t entirely sleep on J’Marcus Webb – the right side of the line might not be nearly as bad as some people fear.
But given that many – and some within the organization – see Watson as a disappointment, he is going to have to overcome that perception and really step up his game if he wants to keep a spot on the roster.
Next: Trent Richardson