Washington’s Troy Fautanu’s athleticism for his size makes him a great fit for a zone blocking scheme, which the Las Vegas Raiders may be adopting under offensive line boss James Cregg. The focus should be on building the trenches, as success in football often starts and ends with strong play in the offensive and defensive lines.
New Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh emphasized the importance of the offensive line, noting that it’s the one group that every other position relies on. Therefore, investing in the offensive line with their first-round pick (No. 13 overall) would be wise for the Raiders, especially considering the uncertainty at the quarterback position and the need for a right tackle.
If the top picks in the draft focus on quarterbacks, the Raiders could benefit from talented linemen falling down the draft board. Prospects like Taliese Fuaga, JC Latham, and Troy Fautanu are particularly intriguing for a zone blocking scheme.
On the defensive side, while the Raiders have talent, adding a young, relentless defensive tackle like Jer’Zhan Newton or Byron Murphy II could strengthen the defense. Edge rushers like DJ Turner, Laiatu Latu, and Jared Verse could also provide valuable depth and versatility to the Raiders’ defense.
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