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Las Vegas Raiders select Alex Leatherwood in 2021 NFL Draft: Grading the pick

By Russell S. Baxter

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 01: Alex Leatherwood #70 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates after defeating the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 31-14 in the 2021 College Football Playoff Semifinal Game at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Capital One at AT&T Stadium on January 01, 2021 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 01: Alex Leatherwood #70 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates after defeating the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 31-14 in the 2021 College Football Playoff Semifinal Game at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Capital One at AT&T Stadium on January 01, 2021 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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Apparently Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock took a cue from a division rival as the Silver and Black also addressed the tackle position on Thursday night.

There is still only one playoff appearance (2016) since 2003 and no division title since their Super Bowl XXXVII. One year after collapsing following a 6-4 start, the 2020 Las Vegas Raiders let a 6-3 start fall by the wayside and miss the postseason with an 8-8 record.

Head coach Jon Gruden and general manager Mike Mayock were apparently looking to revamp both trenches. It was somewhat surprising when it came to the offensive side as one-time Patriots’ tackle Trent Brown was sent back to Foxborough, guard Gabe Jackson was also traded (Seahawks) and center Rodney Hudson was deal to the Cardinals.

Enter former Alabama blocker Alex Leatherwood, the Raiders first-round pick on Thursday night. Like the rival Chargers and Rashawn Slater, this AFC West team opted for one of the big guys up front. But what exactly are the plans for the well-schooled performer?

Grading the Las Vegas Raiders pick of Alex Leatherwood at No. 17 in the 2021 NFL Draft

B. player. 28. Pick Analysis. Alabama. Alex Leatherwood. Scouting Report. T

Early on, this appears to be a reach by the organization. Ourlads’ Scouting Services stated that the former Crimson Tide standout “has an NFL body and power presence right now. Will undoubtedly be ready to step into an NFL offensive line Week 1 if needed. The question will revolve around where he is best suited. The physical talent should land him at guard…”

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein also had this critique. “Leatherwood has projectable traits, solid athleticism and position versatility, but suffers from a failure to consistently execute at a high level due to issues that might be correctable. He sees the game well and works to stay balanced and composed in pass sets, but struggles with ranging and redirecting at the top of the rush…Teams will need to determine if he’s a guard or tackle, but an upgrade in aggressiveness is needed in order to become a good NFL lineman.”

So is he a guard or a tackle? The Raiders’ offensive line is in the midst of quite the transformation with all the aforementioned departures. Former first-round Kolton Miller remains and the team added center Nick Martin after he was cut loose by the Texans. Defense seemed to be the bigger priority for this team so the selection here was somewhat questionable. Still, the team has to put back their offensive front.

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