Raiders Explore New Offensive Line Options as OTAs Progress

The Las Vegas Raiders are making strides in their offseason training, particularly as they look to enhance their offensive line. During the second week of organized team activities (OTAs) at the Intermountain Health Performance Center, head coach Klint Kubiak is experimenting with player placements, responding to fan calls for change.

This offseason, the Raiders have focused on bolstering their offensive line, notably by selecting Trey Zuhn in the third round of the draft. Last year, they also added two offensive linemen to the roster. Zuhn is primarily seen as an interior lineman, indicating the team's decision to stick with DJ Glaze at right tackle and Charles Grant, who was previously drafted, for the left side. Despite the confidence shown in Glaze, many fans believe Grant deserves a chance at right tackle, especially after he spent last season with limited snaps.

In a move to address these concerns, Kubiak has begun to give Grant some opportunities at right tackle, even if he’s not currently in the starting lineup. While Glaze seems to be the frontrunner for the position, Kubiak's willingness to test Grant in this role suggests that the competition is just beginning.

"Obviously, there is some stability at both tackle spots," Kubiak mentioned at the NFL Combine, highlighting the presence of young talents like Jackson Powers-Johnson and Caleb Rogers. He emphasized the importance of teaching and cohesiveness among the players to enhance their performance together.

Despite the optimism surrounding Glaze, his previous season was marred by struggles, leading the league with 54 blown blocks. While he showed promise in the run game, issues in pass protection were evident. Nevertheless, Kubiak remains hopeful, recognizing the potential for improvement in Glaze's game, particularly in areas like footwork and blocking finesse edge rushers.