Oakland Raiders: Final rankings of team needs before 2018 NFL Draft
2. Offensive Tackle
The Raiders must keep strangers away from their Carr. He only went down 20 times behind the line of scrimmage in the previous season. Though, coming into the offseason, the offensive tackle spot has major question marks.
Left tackle Donald Penn will miss a portion of the offseason program after undergoing Linsfranc foot surgery, per Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter Michael Gehlken:
Jon Gruden spent time last night with Raiders LT Donald Penn, who he said is coming off Lisfranc foot surgery. “He won’t be ready to go for a couple months.”
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) March 27, 2018
Penn goes into his age-35 season, and there’s no telling how he heals or responds to a significant foot surgery. The Raiders should have someone ready to go in case the 12th-year veteran shows a sharp decline.
There’s an open spot on the right side. Over the past few seasons, Menelik Watson, Austin Howard and Marshall Newhouse have tried to lock down the starting role to no avail.
It’s one thing to cover Carr’s blindside with a veteran Pro Bowl-caliber offensive tackle, but the Raiders have no certainties on either side. Initially, it didn’t seem logical to take a perimeter protector at No. 10. Some may cringe at the idea because of the talent pool.
However, a team that doesn’t protect its quarterback flirts with disaster and a lost season. Carr’s competitive mentality drives him to extend plays. It’s imperative the front office acquire a high-quality prospect to compete with the likes of David Sharpe, Jylan Ware, Vadal Alexander and Breno Giacomini.
Gruden didn’t sit in the Raiders war room when the team selected Sharpe, Ware or Alexander. It’s anyone’s guess how he feels about the talent from the previous draft classes. The Raiders’ new head coach will design the offense and should consider bringing in new talent to suit his vision while coaching up the assets on the roster.