The Oakland Raiders have managed to shore up some more depth up front heading into training camp as they announced that they have signed offensive lineman Jonathan Cooper. The terms of the deal were not released but it is expected to be a one-year contract, and wide receiver Montay Crockett was waived as a corresponding move.
The Raiders have seemingly put an emphasis on fortifying the protection in front of quarterback Derek Carr this offseason. This is certainly understandable considering Carr was sacked a career-high 52 times during the disastrous 2018 campaign.
Fortunately, Oakland has seemingly managed to bring in some solid pieces to help get this group back to where they were in 2016 when many pegged them as one of the best offensive line’s in the NFL. Of course, this started with the lucrative signing for former England Patriots left tackle Trent Brown.
Despite making Brown the highest-paid offensive lineman in the league, head coach Jon Gruden has already indicated that Kolton Miller will be handling Carr’s blind-side at left tackle. The move is indicative of Gruden’s confidence in the former first-rounders abilities moving forward, and Brown will return to the right side, where he began his career.
The Raiders also made headlines when they brought in Richie Incognito to compete with Denzelle Good for the starting left guard position. Meanwhile, center Rodney Hudson and Gabe Jackson remain as the stabilizing factors up front.
Cooper was initially taken with the seventh overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals out of North Carolina. Unfortunately, his career got off to a rough start due to injury and he has since become somewhat of an NFL journeyman.
He spent the 2018 campaign with the Washington Redskins competing for the starting job at left guard before a bicep tear ended his season. The 29-year-old will now be looking to provide some much-needed depth for Oakland moving forward, and with Incognito recently being suspended for the first two games of the season, he could have a chance to take his place at left guard to begin the year.
The Raiders have certainly done what they can to try and improve Carr’s protection moving forward. It will be interesting to see if Cooper is able to compete with some of the other new faces at guard for a role up front.
