Las Vegas Raiders waive former Alabama first-rounder Alex Leatherwood in surprise move

The Las Vegas Raiders are moving on from 2021 first-round draft pick Alex Leatherwood, according to multiple reports. The offensive tackle struggled throughout his rookie season, despite starting all 17 games. After failing to find a trading partner for the former Alabama Crimson Tide star, the organization waived him on Tuesday.

Waiving Leatherwood means the Raiders will take a $7.9 million salary cap hit. The team tried to work out deals with any of the other 31 NFL teams but failed, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport.

After starting the first four games of the 2021 season at left tackle and recording the lowest pass-blocking grade of any rookie tackle since 2006, Leatherwood changed positions. Then-head coach Jon Gruden tried the former No. 17-overall pick at right guard, instead of right tackle.

This offseason, Leatherwood has made headlines for struggling during preseason games. Last week, in the preseason game versus the Dolphins, he allowed a sack, a quarterback hit, a hurry, and two pressures.

The Raiders will likely attempt to bring in a veteran option to fill the job at right tackle before game one of the season versus the Chargers.

Leatherwood at Alabama

Leatherwood was a five-star recruit coming out of Booker T. Washington High School (FL.). He was the No. 3 overall prospect in the nation in the 2017 signing class and the No. 1 offensive lineman, according to the On3 Consensus. 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.