Oakland Raiders: Predicting The Team’s Final 53-Man Roster
By Kevin Saito
Offensive Line (9)
Starters: Donald Penn, Kelechi Osemele, Rodney Hudson, Gabe Jackson, Marshall Newhouse
Reserves: Ian Silberman, Jon Feliciano, David Sharpe, Vadal Alexander
Oakand’s offensive line was its strength last season. The combination of Penn, Osemele, Hudson, and Jackson helped propel the offense to highs it hasn’t seen since Rich Gannon and Tim Brown wore the Silver and Black.
And this, even with the right tackle position in a state of flux. Last season, the Raiders had a few different players play right tackle. And they held up pretty well, given that Derek Carr was the least sacked quarterback in the NFL last year.
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They entered this season with right tackle still a question mark. Looking to solidify the position, as well as plan for the future, GM Reggie McKenzie signed free agent Marshall Newhouse and drafted a pair of tackles – David Sharpe in the fourth round and Jylan Ware in the seventh.
But like every other position group, it’s a numbers game and there are only so many roster spots available.
Obviously, the starting line is set, which leaves precious few spots open. Feliciano has experience and is the backup center, so he’s not going anywhere. Vadal Alexander performed admirably as a rookie last season and has been pretty good this summer, so he seems likely to get a spot on the roster. David Sharpe has been good enough to earn a spot as well.
Ian Silberman has been a fantastic story in camp this year and solid play as well as his versatility – he can play center or either guard positio – should be enough to lock up a spot for him.
The only variable at this point is second-year man Denver Kirkland, who was injured and is expected to miss some time. If he opens the season on injured reserve, the Raiders do have the option to bring him back later – which would necessitate a move elsewhere on the roster.