Raiders’ Offensive Line Crisis Reaches a Tipping Point
The Las Vegas Raiders find themselves in a dire predicament along the offensive line, a situation that demands immediate attention. The performance of the front five has been dismal, struggling both in run-blocking and pass protection. Ashton Jeanty, the team’s running back, has faced a staggering 57% of his carries resulting in hits at or behind the line of scrimmage this season. Furthermore, only one team in the league has allowed more sacks than the Raiders.
A Disastrous Week 3 Display
In the team’s most recent outing, the shortcomings of the offensive line were glaring, particularly from guard Alex Cappa and right tackle DJ Glaze. Together, they accounted for an alarming 13 pressures out of a total of 21, along with two quarterback hits, nine hurries, and two sacks allowed, as reported by Pro Football Focus.
Glaze’s performance was particularly troubling, yielding two sacks, four hurries, and six pressures. Meanwhile, Cappa contributed to the struggles with two hits, five hurries, and seven pressures. The only other lineman close to their level of inefficiency was left tackle Kolton Miller, who allowed three pressures but managed to avoid giving up any sacks.
On the interior, guard Dylan Parham also faced his share of challenges, responsible for one of the sacks and allowing a total of two pressures. However, he was largely decent overall. In terms of run-blocking grades, Parham registered the lowest score among his peers with a 51.5. Cappa and Glaze were not far behind, with grades of 55.6 and 56.1, respectively.
Struggles in the Run Game
The performance in the run game has been particularly alarming. When Jeanty ran behind Cappa, he averaged a meager 0.28 yards per carry on seven attempts. In contrast, when he ran behind Parham, he managed to average five yards per carry on eight attempts, highlighting the stark difference in effectiveness.
A Potential Solution on the Horizon
There is hope on the horizon for the Raiders, particularly regarding Cappa’s position. Last year’s second-round pick, Jackson Powers-Johnson, did not start in Week 3 but was active after recovering from a concussion. Head coach Pete Carroll explained that the decision to keep Powers-Johnson on the bench was influenced by the short week, as the team wanted to provide him additional time to acclimate. However, with Cappa’s struggles laid bare, it seems likely that Powers-Johnson will reclaim a starting role in Week 4.
The Raiders also invested in their offensive line during the draft, selecting two additional linemen. As the season progresses, it remains to be seen how these changes will unfold and whether they can rectify the ongoing issues that have plagued the team.
