Raiders can solve potential big problem this offseason for cheap
The Las Vegas Raiders had a problem for most of last season, and I think we all recognized it. It started very badly at the beginning of the season and got a bit better as the year progressed. But, it still was never fixed. The offensive line is that problem. It could be an even […]
The Las Vegas Raiders had a problem for most of last season, and I think we all recognized it. It started very badly at the beginning of the season and got a bit better as the year progressed.
But, it still was never fixed.
The offensive line is that problem. It could be an even bigger problem this next season just because in the NFL, you never know whether one player will be better or worse from one year to the next, let alone an entire offensive line group.
Derek Carr was sacked a lot last year, 27 times to be exact. That may not seem like a lot when you look at 2022 and compare it to the 40 times he was sacked in 2021, but 27 is still a lot.
But, it's an even bigger deal because of how bad the offensive line was to start the season. They were bad, including the first game of the year where they allowed six sacks to the Chargers.
They can make sure it's not as bad when Week 1 of the 2023 season rolls around, and they can do it for cheap, by saving their cap space for free agency.
The Raiders have a lot of cap space, and having a lot will give them a lot of room to work with in free agency, so why not take a guy in the draft that can fix the problem, and pay him cheaply?
That's exactly what they can do with their second-round pick – if
Steve Avila, the TCU offensive lineman is on the board at 41.
Avila isn't the best in his class, and his 2022 tape won't absolutely blow you away, but he did put together three pretty good seasons of consistent play, and even this year for a playoff team down in Fort Worth, Texas.
Avila, much like Dylan Parham, can play either the guard spot or the center position. Besides versatility is his biggest strength, he is also super strong, and in some ways is considered an anchor. He does not move, hardly at all when being rushed.
If there is one thing he can improve on though, it's creating lanes and angles in the run game. Is he a bad blocker when it comes to running the ball? No. But it is worse than his pass-blocking, in my opinion.
Avila is listed as the 41st ranked prospect according to Pro Football Focus. He could easily be available when the Raiders pick.
Featured Image Via Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports
