The Las Vegas Raiders have not gotten off to the start many had hoped as they fell to 0-2 following an extremely disappointing loss to the Arizona Cardinals in which they led 20-0. Furthermore, perhaps the Raiders’ biggest concern coming into the season is coming to fruition so far.
While the skill position players are there, many were worried about the offensive line holding up, and it has been an issue so far. Derek Carr has been sacked seven times so far, tied for fifth most in the league. Additionally, the Raiders are in the bottom half of the league in yards per carry, but the team has now made a move to help out their o-line issue.
According to Ian Rapaport of NFL Network, the Raiders have agreed to a deal with the New England Patriots for tackle Justin Herron:
Sources: The #Raiders are trading for #Patriots OT Justin Herron, with the teams flipping picks in 2024. Some solid tackle depth.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 21, 2022
The Raiders will send a 2024 sixth-round draft pick to the Patriots in exchange for Herron and a 2024 seventh-rounder. The move reunites Herron with Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels who had served as the Patriots offensive coordinator.
Herron, a sixth-round pick in 2020 out of Wake Forest, started 11 games for the Patriots in the last two seasons and will give the Raiders either a starter on the right side or a reliable swing tackle. The Raiders lost projected starter at right tackle Brandon Parker for the season due to a triceps injury, and the other options simply have not stood out so far.
Jermaine Eluemenor has started the first two weeks, while rookie seventh-round pick Thayer Munford Jr. has also appeared with neither inspiring much confidence. Parker provides much-needed depth to the Raiders, who are suddenly in danger of this season spiraling out of control rather quickly.
A trip to Tennessee to face the Titans will be followed by a pair of divisional games against the Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos, so the Raiders will really need to be focused to turn things around. While there have been some flashes, the team hasn’t quite put it all together yet, and solidifying the offensive line is always a necessity, hence why the front office felt the need to pull the trigger on this move.
Josh McDaniels says Raiders’ offensive line subs were based on merit
In Week 1, it was notable that Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels opted to rotate different offensive linemen throughout the game. But McDaniels insisted that the moves were merit-based, and he was playing ‘the guys that deserve to play.’
Whatever the reason may be, the Raiders clearly must figure out things up front to reach the potential this team has.
