The offensive line tends to be the most overlooked position in the sport of football, only becoming relevant when teams are struggling to protect their quarterback. In the sport of football each player has a specific job to do on any given play, and on the offensive side of the ball each play relies on the offensive line in order for either the pass or run to develop.
While offensive linemen tend to go unnoticed by most fans, NFL front offices know the importance of a strong foundation on the line, and two organizations in particular are vying for the best offensive line in the NFL. The Oakland Raiders just joined the conversation this offseason with some big moves in free agency, as they landed arguably the most coveted offensive lineman on the NFL's open market in Kelechi Osemele and recently retained durable left tackle Donald Penn.
With the moves, the Raiders have closed the gap on the Dallas Cowboys offensive line as the best in the NFL, but likely still have work to do to prove that they should be considered the best in the league. The Cowboys have what is widely accepted to be the best offensive tackle in the league in Tyron Smith. Guard Zack Martin is also quickly becoming one of the best at his position after two consecutive Pro Bowls in his first two seasons.
Both the Raiders and Cowboys have spots on their offensive line that could use upgrades, but collectively their units should be considered the cream of the crop. Many draft analysts believe the Raiders may still be in the market for an offensive tackle in the 2016 NFL Draft, and it wouldn't be surprising if they selected a talent like Michigan State's Jack Conklin in the first round.
While the Raiders have other needs than offensive line this upcoming draft, a player like Conklin could solidify the silver and black and give their young quarterback Derek Carr a strong pocket to throw from. It's clear that both the Raiders and Cowboys have two of the most impressive offensive lines in the NFL, but only time will tell how this new Raiders offensive line will play on Sundays, as they will still have plenty of pass rushers to deal with in the AFC West next season.
