Line Dance Raiders Must Address Trench Issues -

The Las Vegas Raiders need help along the offensive. For a team that wants to run the ball, better blocking is a no-brainer.

Vegas missed on productive starting tackle Donovan Smith. Smith was one of the last plug and play starting tackles left. Former Patriots first-rounder Isaiah Wynn joined the Dolphins and former Panthers second-rounder Greg Little joined the Houston Texans. Wynn and Little are high-ceiling and low risk ways to boost the offensive line.

Who’s Left?

That leaves Taylor Lewan, Justin Pugh, George Fant, A.J. Cann, Justin Britt, Trai Turner, Eric Fisher, Ja’Wuan James, Rodger Saffold and Bobby Hart as some of the top offensive line targets available. All bring various levels of starting experience. At tackle, Lewan turns thirty-two soon and missed last year with injury. James is about to turn thirty-one and only played in four games combined the last two seasons. Fisher is the same age and couldn’t even crack the Dolphins starting lineup last year. Fant is over 30 and off an injury too. Hart turns twenty-nine soon but he’s spent the last two years primarily as a backup. He does have guard and tackle versatility, which is a trait the Raiders like.

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How The Pieces Fit?

Moving to guard, Cann is over thirty and a smaller guard. Turner had a bounce back year but he’s smaller than the Raiders like their guards. Saffold could make sense but he’s 35. Pugh missed most of last year with injury and is over 32. Still, former Denver Broncos guard Dalton Risner is the most intriguing name left upfront. Risner knows the AFC West and zone blocking well. He is a big guard and played some tackle in college. That means he has the scheme versatility the Raiders look for. Most of all, Risner is only twenty-seven.

Possible Bidding War

That will mean other teams could be interested in Risner. The Vikings are one team looking into his signing, according to rumors. He also ended last year with an elbow injury and Risner suffered a shoulder injury late in the 2022 season. Despite that, he’s only missed two games. Vegas could easily get outbid on Risner. Nonetheless, he would easily upgrade either guard positions. The Raiders could make a lot of sense if he wants to go to a talented offense on a one-year deal. He could easily cash out next season, after a great year showing his physicality with the Raiders.

Overall Raiders Fit

Risner could start at either guard position. That would give them some flexibility to move Dylan Parham to center in the event they want to move on from James. It also allows them to keep Jermaine Eluemunor at right tackle, instead of starting Brandon Parker and moving Eluemunor to guard. Not to mention, it helps protect the investment of Jimmy G. and Josh Jacobs in the backfield.