The Raiders have a bonafide Rookie of the Year candidate on their team. Brock Bowers has claimed the spotlight as not only the best rookie on the Raiders, but arguably the top rookie in the league.
After Bowers, it’s second round pick Jackson Powers-Johnson who gets some discussion as he was pegged to be a starter at the beginning of the season and has performed well at both guard and center.
But it’s another offensive lineman with whom Antonio Pierce has been consistently impressed. And in his final press conference of the regular season, he was sure to call attention to him.
“DJ Glaze,” Pierce called out by name. “I’m going to keep talking about him. Just consistent, going back to training camp. It’s just impressive. Blocking Malcolm [Koonce], blocking Maxx Crosby and then going out throughout the season and just be consistent.”
Glaze was the team’s pick in the third round out of Maryland. he was behind Thayer Munford at right tackle throughout the offseason and going into training camp. But when Munford got banged up in camp, Glaze got some reps with the first team and held his own, even against the likes of Crosby.
So, when Munford got injured in week three of the season, the team put in Glaze and never looked back.
Even when Munford recovered and was healthy enough to return to the field, they stayed with Glaze at right tackle.
And in the 13 starts since, Glaze has given up just three sacks. That is impressive for any rookie, let alone a third round pick.
He’s showed he may just be their answer at right tackle moving forward.