As far as protecting the passer, the Oakland Raiders weren't half bad last year. The team's offensive line ranked sixth in sacks allowed (28) and fifth in QB hits (56) while Pro Football Focus ranked them 14th in pass blocking overall. Run blocking, however, was a different story. Oakland ranked just 27th in yards per carry average (3.7) and finished 24th in PFF's run blocking ranking. Although some of that had to do with poor play in the backfield, it's clear that Oakland could use some upgrades upfront.
How about recently released Pro Bowl guard Evan Mathis?
"Mathis is expected to consider many options and there are reasons to believe Oakland can be interested," ESPN Raiders reporter Bill Williamson wrote. "They do not have a set starter at right guard, they have $16.9 million remaining in salary-cap room, which is the sixth most in the NFL. New Oakland offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave was on the Eagles' staff last year.
"However, I don't get the sense the Raiders are going to be big players for Mathis because he is already 33, and the team is happy with their trio of right guards. J'Marcus Webb will enter camp as the favorite to win the right guard job, but he will be in competition with fellow veteran Khalif Barnes and fourth-round pick Jon Feliciano. The Raiders want Feliciano to be the long-term starter."
It sounds that while interest in Mathis is possible, a signing isn't likely. The Raiders appear to be relying on some internal development to help their running game this year. That's possible with new head coach Jack Del Rio calling the shots. In the nine years Del Rio was the head coach in Jacksonville, his Jaguars teams finished in the top ten in rushing six times.
But with so much extra cap space lying around, it wouldn't be a shock to see the Raiders make a run at Mathis all the same. They want to continue to keep second-year quarterback Derek Carr upright.
