Raiders take Alabama OL Alex Leatherwood with 17th pick
By JOSH DUBOW - Apr. 30, 2021 01:16 AM EDT FILE - Las Vegas Raiders general manager Mike Mayock speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, in this Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020, file photo. The Las Vegas Raiders spent the free agency period dismantling their offensive line and mostly ignoring the secondary. Now heading into the NFL draft, those are the two spots that appear to be the most urgent needs for the Raiders to fill starting with pick No. 17 in the first round. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
General manager Mike Mayock knew the choice of Alex Leatherwood with the 17th pick in the NFL draft would be controversial as soon as the analysis came in from the pundits on television.
Raiders GM energized by changes on offensive line FILE - In this Nov. 1, 2020, file photo, Las Vegas Raiders general manager Mike Mayock stands on the field before the team s NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns in Cleveland. The Raiders spent the start of free agency dismantling their expensive offensive line, trading away three highly paid starters for mid-round picks. While most outsiders viewed the moves to deal Rodney Hudson, Gabe Jackson and Trent Brown as a setback for the Raiders, Mayock sees opportunity ahead for line coach Tom Cable to build around young players like Kolton Miller and Andre James. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane, File)
Raiders likely to target tackle, secondary in upcoming draft yahoo.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from yahoo.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Coach Tom Cable remains the steady force of the reloaded offensive line Apr 19, 2021 at 11:42 AM Copied!
The Raiders offensive line was a huge plug-and-play situation for the Raiders last season, and the line will see even more change this upcoming 2021 NFL season with some familiar starters being traded to make way for young talent coming up behind them.
Despite whatever changes are to come for the Silver and Black s offensive line,
Coach Tom Cable has proven that he can take command of the unit and lead them.
Cable has become a consistent presence in the Raiders coaching staff since returning to the team in 2018 under Head Coach Jon Gruden, and his ability to get the best out of his offensive linemen was a big reason Gruden and the Silver and Black wanted Cable back.