Oakland Raiders: Grading Reggie McKenzie’s Offseason Moves To This Point

Marshall Newhouse (OL)

Though Marshall Newhouse is expected to compete for the starting job at right tackle, he might have a difficult time unseating incumbent Austin Howard.

What the Newhouse signing actually gives the Raiders is some versatility and depth. Over his six seasons in the league, Newhouse has made 56 starts and has played both guard and tackle – on both sides of the center.

Oakland seemed to lack a bit of depth on the offensive line last season, and when they started to get dinged with injuries, the unit took a hit. And that hit meant the offense struggled a little bit in the run and pass game.

He’s not a game-changer by any stretch of the imagination. But given the fact that he’s been able to stay relatively healthy over the course of his career, he’s a step up from Menelik Watson. Though many hated to see Watson go because the raw potential he flashed could be mesmerizing, the fact that he couldn’t stay on the field made him expendable.

It’s an absolute value signing for the Raiders – two years at $3.5 million with just $500,000 in guaranteed money.

It’s a signing that doesn’t have any real sizzle, but it’s an important signing in that it gives the Raiders some much-needed depth. He brings some experience – solid starting experience at that – and helps Oakland should injury or ineffectiveness plague them at either tackle or guard position.

It’s not a signing that really moves that needle, but it’s one that’s solid.

Grade: B+