How the Raiders Can Improve the Offensive Line

The Las Vegas Raiders have been working on improving the roster this offseason, operating under the goal of getting back to the playoffs.

However, there’s one area of the team that they haven’t addressed as strongly as they could: the offensive line. The best teams in the NFL have the strongest offensive line units, and it is a key position group for championship-level teams.

The Raiders made an effort to re-sign a couple of their own free agents in the trenches, but Netane Muti, Hroniss Grasu, Jermaine Eluemenor, and Alex Bars combined to play 1,888 snaps during the entire 2022 season, and Bars and Eluemunor played 1,792 of those, according to Pro Football Focus. They also likely aren't long-term answers on the right side of the offensive line.

Although the Raiders' offensive line unit was solid last season, finishing in the top 10 in the fewest sacks allowed. They also did a nice job of creating running lanes for Josh Jacobs, but they could add more depth or even guys who can compete for starting jobs.

The Raiders wisely allowed the right tackle market to play out, as many of the top free agents at that position were given lucrative contracts that, while the Raiders could have afforded to, didn’t necessarily need to hand out.

The Raiders’ starting right tackle is Eluemunor, who has 31 starts over six career seasons.

The Raiders’ best bet is to add offensive line help through the NFL Draft. With the seventh overall pick, the Raiders could opt to take one of the top offensive linemen in the draft, whether it be Northwestern’s Peter Skoronski, Georgia’s Broderick Jones, or Ohio State’s Paris Johnson Jr. They could also add depth in the later rounds, like Syracuse’s Matthew Bergeron or BYU’s Blake Freeland.

If the Raiders want to get back to the playoffs, they can start by turning their good offensive line unit into a great one, and adding elite talent or hidden gems through the draft might be the best way to do it.

The 2023 NFL Draft will go from April 27-29 and be held at Union Station in Kansas City, Mo. The 2023 NFL Year and Free Agency period began at 4 p.m. EDT on March 15.

The Raiders are expected to be significant players in the free-agent market this offseason.

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