For the most part, the starting offensive line appears to be set for the Raiders heading into training camp. The only interesting battle that could occur is at center, where Andre James will try to beat out veteran Nick Martin.
However, there is another player (at a different position) that could make some noise this season.
Second-year guard John Simpson is someone the Raiders would love to see earn a starting spot this year. A former Clemson star, Simpson got on the field late last season and looked a bit overwhelmed. Still, the team is optimistic that he can become a quality player sooner rather than later.
In a recent article by Brad Gagnon of Bleacher Report, Simpson was named the team’s most intriguing “project” player entering the 2021 season. Here is a quick snippet of what the site had to say about the mauling guard:
“Simpson’s strength and explosiveness make him a tantalizing potential long-term starter, and his mean streak could be the icing on the cake to form a Pro Bowler. He certainly looks like a nice fit for Raiders football, and he has a high ceiling. Now, he just needs to beat out inconsistent veteran Denzelle Good for a chance to expedite his growth as a starter.”
The plan is for Good to open the season at right guard, but if Simpson outplays him in camp, it doesn’t appear the Raiders would be hesitant to start the second-year player. This is an underrated camp battle to watch as the Raiders want to add size and physicality to their offensive line.
Keep an eye on Simpson during training camp and into the preseason.
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