Much remains in doubt along the Raiders’ offensive line just two weeks away from the beginning of the regular season. Part of the team’s decisions relate to Alex Leatherwood and where he lines up, but it is not a given at this point that he will be on the roster to start the regular season. 
Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports that “all options are on the table” with respect to the team’s handling of last year’s 17th overall pick. That could include simply moving him back inside from right tackle to right guard, after his underwhelming performances this summer at his natural position. On the other hand, that could also mean a trade or release is possible.
The injury suffered by starter Brandon Parker left the Raiders with a need at tackle. Leatherwood competed to win back the RT spot he was drafted to occupy, but didn’t fare as well as veteran Jermaine Eluemunor or seventh-round rookie rookie Thayer Munford in training camp. Vegas is not expected to tap the free agent market to add insurance in the wake of Parker’s absence.
That certainly suggests that Leatherwood could have at least an interior role, but as Bonsignore notes, the new Raiders regime has no ties to the Alabama alum. His struggles throughout camp and the preseason have left him with a “murky future,” something which is rather noteworthy for a second-year player attached to such a significant draft investment.
The RT position, along with both guard spots, are set to be finalized in the coming days. Where Leatherwood fits in (if at all) will be a key storyline to watch as the Raiders aim to better last year’s playoff appearance.
Ruggs then Leatherwood back to back 1st rd man Mayock was a goat GM
I don’t believe either of those selections were Mayock’s, but I could be wrong. When you look at the Raiders drafts though, they did really poorly early and really well in the later rounds. It leads me to believe two different people ran it because how could the same person consistently whiff so frequently in those early rounds, yet still find these gems late?
Gruden was always the voice, and of the two, I can’t imagine he wasn’t making those day one picks.
And Clelin Ferrell the year before that who was taken with the 4th overall pick! They passed on Devin White who was the next pick by Tampa to take Clelin “effin” Ferrell.
Does Mayock get to go back to being a draft expert?
I wonder how much of this is on Gruden. Gruden, imo, is much more the type of person who wants to show everyone how smart he is by reaching for someone.
Just my story, but that’s when I gave up on the Raiders management. They showed the war room after he was drafted, and everyone is high-fiving and dancing around. Like they couldn’t believe their good fortune that he wasn’t drafted higher.
It was like, they were so happy to land him at #17, they must’ve thought he was top-10 material. Meanwhile, most of the real world was generously ranking him a low 1st or high 2nd rounder.
I hate Belicheck, but if he were the GM/coach, he’d have traded the #17 for the #28 and 2022 2nd rounder, and still have landed Leatherwood.
I agree. When Jon was in the media, he never met 1 QB he didn’t like. No matter their draft grade, he thought they were incredible.
3 years as being HC/GM, he never drafted one. Why not?
They never needed a QB because Carr is a really good NFL starter. Sticking with him was one of the decisions I’ve always felt Gruden did right.
Not disputing Carr, but draft & develop is key. A Reid flipped many 4th-6th round QB’s for better picks. Jon didn’t
Oh, okay. Apologies. I misunderstood what you were saying there. From that angle I see your point, and I can’t disagree with the logic. That said, I think the execution would’ve been flawed. Gruden is notoriously rough on his QBs, which I think is why he found more success with veterans. I don’t believe he could develop a young QB.
Jon has never develop a QB. That’s why he’s not a QB guru. Always went with 30 something vets.
Many? He probably didn’t draft many 4th-6th round quarterbacks. This sounds made up
Andy flipped McNabb for 2 picks, Alex Smith for 2 picks (both to DC, horrible franchise that Andy played them perfectly!). Also sent Kevin Kolb to the Cards for a CB & a 2nd. That’s off the top of my head.
I disagree w/ Vick being allowed to be back in the game, but he was brought in as a FA after doing his time, &made him a QB1 again.
Andy is very knowledgeable in how to create value for QB’s. Best I’ve seen.
They weren’t drafted in the 4th-6th round. Way to move the goalposts. He didn’t even draft Alex Smith.
Raiders need a linebacker? Falcons want to move Deebo and need OL depth.
That’s a big boy
It’s quite possible that someone on the team leaked this to gauge what they might be able to get for Leatherwood from a team desperate for OL help that wanted to avoid the waiver process.. My guess is not a lot.
Therefore, IMO Leatherwood will be moved back inside to RG. A cut is possible, but the last resort. Yes, this regime has no ties to him but also has no ties to Lester Cotton who is worse at RG than Leatherwood..
Yikes, is he really that bad that they’d cut him already?
Another excellent Raiders(tm) Draft!
God its fun watching the fallout from their every draft
It’s occasionally funny, even to Raider fans. We’ve done pretty well with the later picks, maybe even very well. My guess is that Gruden was attracted to the shiny objects, and left the room after the first two rounds.
The only redeeming quality is that they didn’t disappoint. When Ferrell, Leatherwood, Arnette, Bowden. Everyone just rolled their eyes.