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Oakland Raiders: 3 Veterans on the roster bubble in 2019 training camp

By Maurice Moton

OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 24: DeAndre Washington #33 of the Oakland Raiders rushes for a 22-yard touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts during their NFL game at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on December 24, 2016 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 24: DeAndre Washington #33 of the Oakland Raiders rushes for a 22-yard touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts during their NFL game at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on December 24, 2016 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CA – SEPTEMBER 18: A detailed view of Oakland Raiders helmets sitting on the bench during the National Anthem prior to their game against the Atlanta Falcons at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on September 18, 2016 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – SEPTEMBER 18: A detailed view of Oakland Raiders helmets sitting on the bench during the National Anthem prior to their game against the Atlanta Falcons at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on September 18, 2016 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

OT David Sharpe

Oakland selected David Sharpe in the fourth round of the 2017 draft with the intent to groom him into Donald Penn‘s successor or a starter on the right side after the team decided not to re-sign Menelik Watson.

As a rookie, Sharpe started the final two contests of the year and struggled against the Los Angeles Chargers in the season finale, allowing five pressures, which included two sacks, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). He hasn’t started a regular-season game since that outing.

Last offseason, offensive line coach Tom Cable praised Sharpe for making strides and highlighted his potential upside, per Las Vegas Review-Journal‘s Michael Gehlken.

"I know they picked him in the fourth round last year,” Cable said. “…I’m looking at this guy, and for a while, it was uncomfortable for him. He didn’t like being uncomfortable, but you can’t be a lineman in this league and not almost cherish that ugliness side of it. It’s kind of cool because it’ll help you in life. But this guy, he’s learning that right now. You look at him and you think, ‘My God, there’s a right tackle that might play in this league for 10 years if he ever captures it."

Apparently, Sharpe didn’t “capture” what Cable looked for in his offensive linemen—or at least not enough through the preseason. The Raiders waived him, and the Houston Texans added the 23-year-old to their practice squad before a promotion to the main roster for two contests.

The Texans waived Sharpe in October, and the Raiders claimed him the next day. In 2018, the Florida product listed active for the Silver and Black in eight games but only took 18 offensive snaps.

Sitting on the fringe of the 53-man roster over the last two years, Sharpe will have a difficult pathway to the regular-season depth chart this year. Oakland signed Trent Brown, which pushes Brandon Parker, a 2018 third-rounder, to the primary backup swing tackle role.

What’s left for Sharpe? It’s not much, considering Parker has three years of collegiate experience on the left side and 12 NFL starts on the right. Denver Kirkland, who functioned as a “sixth offensive lineman” at tight in play-caller Bill Musgrave‘s system during the 2016 campaign, will also vie for a spot on the roster.

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