Las Vegas Raiders move first-rounder after tough start

The Las Vegas Raiders are trying something new with first-round draft pick Alex Leatherwood. After four weeks of watching Leatherwood struggle at right tackle, Jon Gruden is trying him out at right guard.

The Raiders made the switch at practice on Thursday, per the Athletic’s Tashan Reed. Four-year vet Brandon Parker moved to right tackle while Leatherwood pushed inside to right guard. Parker made 12 starts for the Raiders in 2018 but hasn’t started more than four in a season since then.

When the Raiders drafted Alex Leatherwood with the 17th overall pick out of Alabama, the move surprised just about everyone.

“Alex Leatherwood was a reliable lineman for Alabama throughout his collegiate career, showing the ability to excel at both tackle and guard,” USA Today reporter Jacob Infante wrote after the draft. “He showcases intelligence and an ability to keep his pads low on tape, complementing his long arms and well-built frame. However, consistency was an issue with him. He didn’t really improve in a specific area when he returned to school in 2020.

“Leatherwood is a talented prospect, but Christian Darrisaw – who went No. 23 to the Vikings – was widely considered to be a superior prospect from an athletic and potential standpoint. Even Oklahoma State’s Teven Jenkins was generally seen as a better prospect.”

Moving the 6-foot-5 tackle inside isn’t necessarily admitting defeat. It’s more likely an opportunity to let Leatherwood catch up and grow into the NFL game. According to Pro Football Focus, he has the lowest pass-blocking grade in Weeks 1-4 of any rookie tackle since 2006.

Raiders quarterback Derek Carr has taken a lot of sacks in his career, but this season is taking the cake. Even with an outlier of 51 sacks in 2018, Carr’s averaged 1.7 sacks per game throughout his career. This season, he’s racked up three per game.

Leatherwood at Alabama

It’s no secret Las Vegas general manager Matt Mayock and head coach Jon Gruden love players from Alabama. Right now, the Raiders claim six former Crimson Tide players on their roster. Running backs Josh Jacobs, Kenyan Drake, and Bo Scarborough all hail from Alabama. Receiver Henry Ruggs III, and offensive linemen Lester Cotton Sr. and Leatherwood – all Alabama.

Leatherwood was a five-star recruit coming out of Booker T. Washington High School (FL.). He committed to Alabama as a junior.

The lineman went on to play in seven games as a freshman, including seeing significant playing time in the 2018 CFP National Championship Game. He stepped in the game at left tackle after Jonah Williams went down with an injury. As a sophomore, Leatherwood moved first to right tackle, then right guard, starting every game at right guard. He moved back to left tackle prior to his junior season, earning first-team All-SEC by the league’s coaches. As a senior, Leatherwood started every game and received first-team All-SEC recognition and the Outland Trophy.