On offense, the Oakland Raiders’ passing game is in good shape with Derek Carr throwing the second-most TDs for a QB in his first two years. WRs Amari Cooper and and Michael Crabtree will shine in 2016 along with TE Clive Walford, who showed what he can do when healthy last year.
Then of course, the Raiders had the second-best pass-blocking offensive line in the NFL last year. Left tackle Donald Penn and right tackle Austin Howard were a solid tackle tandem last year. But they weren’t too great in the running game as they were ranked No. 18 in run-blocking in 2015.
The Raiders offensive line wasn’t as good in the middle with OG Gabe Jackson the only constant. C Rodney Hudson wasn’t healthy and OG J’Marcus Webb was absolutely horrible. So the Raiders turned that weakness into a strength in free agency this offseason, signing OG Kelechi Osemele.
The Raiders are going back to a physical brand of football and Osemele is known for just that. physical playing style. The 6’5″, 333-pound mauler has a league-wide reputation as a guy that will take the biggest, baddest man and bury his face in the turf on a given play.
Osemele told the team’s official website. “Right under your chin strap. I’m trying to knock you out. They call me ‘KO’ for a reason. They’ve been calling me that for a while, so that really defines who I am as a man. I’m going to look you in the eye and I’m going to take you down.”
“I’m a mauler, that’s what I do. I’m a road grader. I like to run people over and leave them there flat, so I’m glad to be on a team that is headed that direction.”
The Raiders have 6’3″, 230-pound 2015 Pro Bowl running back Latavius Murray returning. He has 4.3 wheels and great vision too so the holes Osemele leaves will be put to good use. The Raiders will then be balanced on offense and be able to rest their defense when they need to in 2016.