Las Vegas Raiders’ position battle is starting to become so much clearer after two weeks of training camp practice
The Las Vegas Raiders have some really good competitions going on in training camp, but the right tackle one seems to be all DJ Glaze.
The Las Vegas Raiders have so many position battles going on at training camp. But it’s now becoming clear that one battle we thought was a battle hasn’t really been a battle. That’s the right tackle spot.
When the new regime took over, fans and media instantly started to name the positions that would be up for grabs. Of course, right tackle with DJ Glaze manning it the last two years was mentioned often. He gave up 40 blown blocks last year and just wasn’t good. However, so far in training camp, it’s been all Glaze at right tackle. There’s been some competition behind him, but it’s all him. And we should have seen that coming.
Coming into the season, Kubiak mentioned that he loved the stability at the tackle spots. If that were to change via a position battle, then there would be no more stability. We are seeing that now; Kubiak was serious about the stability for both left tackle and right tackle.
DJ Glaze has had a pretty good training camp
There were, though, reports of early struggles that prompted some panic, but Glaze looked much improved against Maxx Crosby during recent sessions. Losing reps to one of the best edge rushers in football is expected. Charles Grant, the third-round pick out of William & Mary who flashed late last season, has been pigeonholed on the left side as a backup rather than challenging Glaze at right tackle.
The wild card is Trey Zuhn III, who has been rotating through right guard, left guard, and right tackle. His versatility gives Kubiak options. If Glaze struggles against non-elite competition during the preseason, a mid-season switch becomes very realistic.
The coaching dysfunction explains some of that, but the leash will probably be short with guys in waiting who can be the future at the spot if Glaze doesn’t work out. In other words, Zuhn and Grant could be next if this year goes bad for Glaze.
