Oakland Raiders: Who starts at right tackle after Austin Howard release?
Oakland Raiders right tackle left a message on his Instagram account indicating he’ll look to play elsewhere for the 2017 season.
Right tackle Austin Howard posted a heartfelt farewell message to the Oakland Raiders fanbase on his Instagram account early Friday morning:
Howard signed a five-year, $30 million deal in 2014, but the front office will cut the cord with two years left on the deal. The team saves $5 million in cap space, but still owes the 30-year old offensive lineman $1.4 million in dead cash, per Spotrac.
Initially, the Raiders placed Howard inside at right guard where he started 16 games in 2014. Then, he kicked out to right tackle in a constant position battle with oft-injured offensive lineman Menelik Watson, who’s now with the Denver Broncos.
During the past season, Howard battled multiple injuries. He needed two shoulder surgeries months ago. It’s still unclear whether he’s recovered enough to take the practice field elsewhere. The seventh-year veteran insists he’s not ready to walk away from the game in his Instagram message.
More from Las Vegas Raiders
- 5 NFL teams that will definitely disappoint fans in 2023
- 3 Players the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders gave up on way too early
- 2024 NFL Draft: Who picks at the top of the draft in April?
- NFL Predictions: 5 Teams that will be drafting a quarterback in 2024
- 5 NFL Head Coaches that could be fired by the end of the 2023 season
As for the crowded position battle at right tackle, NBCS Bay Area reporter Scott Bair still gives the early lead to Marshall Newhouse who signed a two-year, $3.5 million deal during free agency. The newcomer’s cheaper price tag along with two rookies and second-year pro Vadal Alexander made Howard expendable.
Now, Newhouse and Alexander will probably battle for the starting spot. Fourth-rounder David Sharpe has an outside chance at leapfrogging both during training camp and preseason.
Aside from the question mark at right tackle, the Raiders have a rock-solid offensive line. The competition at the contested spot will bring forth the best of the bunch to complete Carr Insurance for the upcoming season.
There’s a case for seventh-rounder Jylan Ware as a starter. He compares to Watson in athleticism. At 6-8, he’s also similar in height to Howard (6-7). However, the rookie offensive tackle needs to add more weight to his frame. The Raiders listed the Alabama State product at 295 pounds on the team’s official website.
Next: NFL Power Rankings 2017: Training camp edition
The guys in the trenches have been maulers, which helps elevate the run game and keep quarterback Derek Carr off the ground. Ware would have to find a mean streak and exercise his power as a run blocker on the perimeter to claim a starting spot.
Fortunately, the Raiders have enough talent at the position to cut experienced veterans with developing players expected to rise through the ranks under offensive line coach Mike Tice.
Starting right tackle prediction: Vadal Alexander