Oakland Raiders: Ranking The AFC West By Position Group – Offensive Lines

The Oakland Raiders have made some moves this offseason that have created quite a buzz around the league, with some thinking they have the best shot of de-throning New England – but how do they stack up in their own division?

Over the last few years, the Oakland Raiders have sunk a lot of money into their offensive line. A lot of money. In Rodney Hudson, Kelechi Osemele, and now Gabe Jackson, the Raiders have some of the highest paid players at their respective positions. Add in a hefty contract of Austin Howard – assuming he’s still with the team after camp – and the Raiders have one of the single most expensive offensive lines in the NFL.

But, looking at the success this team is having on the offensive side of the ball, you have to tip your cap to GM Reggie McKenzie for building this team up along the trenches.

When he began constructing this team, McKenzie knew that if you wanted to have success, you needed to be able to move the ball. And that all starts with a solid, nearly impregnable, offensive line. Without having that massive wall of humanity up front, Oakland may not have the electrifying offense they currently have – an offense many believe can compete with elite units like New England.

There is no doubt that any success an offense hopes to have starts up front. A solid line means you can have success running or throwing. A porous line though, means you’re going to be looking at a lot of third-and-longs, or plain old three-and-outs.

Without a reliable line up front, your offense isn’t going to be headed anywhere. At least, nowhere good.

So, while we all know the Raiders have a nearly impenetrable offensive line, how does the rest of the division stack up?