The Las Vegas Raiders have made some real improvements on the offensive side of the ball this offseason. Geno Smith at quarterback is a massive upgrade, and drafting running back Ashton Jeanty should help improve a league-worst run game, not to mention Pete Carroll taking over as head coach.
Brock Bowers has already established himself as arguably the best tight end in just one season, and Jakobi Meyers is criminally underrated. However, all of the skill position talent doesn’t matter if the offensive line isn’t up to par, and the depth up front has been a bit of an issue in the preseason.
Carroll, however, isn’t too concerned with that just yet. In the latest episode of Las Vegas Raiders Insider with Hondo Carpenter, the reporter spoke about his conversation with the Raiders coach, who acknowledged the struggles of the offensive line, but also noted that they are young:
“First of all, clear drop off between the first offensive line and the second offensive line and the third string. I do not need to tell you that, but I asked Pete Carroll about it. And he made a clear point, he is not an excuse guy. But he does live in realville … He talked about you are not going to be subbing one linemen for another. So, yes, as a unit, they are not playing great, but they are also extremely young.”
The Raiders do have a relatively young offensive line, especially if Jackson Powers-Johnson beats out Alex Cappa for the right guard spot. Powers-Johnson and right tackle DJ Glaze are both entering their second season, while center Jordan Meredith has just nine starts in three seasons in the league. Left guard Dylan Parham also only has three seasons under his belt, but has been a starter since day one and Kolton Miller is established at left tackle.
Things get pretty bleak after that, with Charles Grant and Caleb Rogers both being rookies and Will Putnam in just his second year, having spent all of 2024 on the Raiders practice squad. Regardless, shoring up the offensive line is imperative for the Raiders’ success this year, and Carroll remains confident they will get it together.
Raiders coach Pete Carroll discussed center battle between Jordan Meredith & Jackson Powers-Johnson
With the latest depth chart listing Jackson Powers-Johnson in a battle for the starting right guard position, it would seem as if the battle between him and Jordan Meredith for the Raiders’ starting center position, which head coach Pete Carroll spoke about previously, is over.
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