Raiders replenish O-line, nab Leatherwood in 1st round

The Las Vegas Raiders selected offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood out of Alabama in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, 17th overall.

Leatherwood figures to slot in at right tackle, the spot Trent Brown occupied before he was dealt to the New England Patriots. He collected experience at four different positions in college, but spent his final two seasons with the Crimson Tide at left tackle. The Raiders have Kolton Miller entrenched at the position.

The Raiders will sport a new look up front in 2021 after parting ways with three of their five starters from a year ago. Along with Brown, Las Vegas traded center Rodney Hudson to the Arizona Cardinals and right guard Gabe Jackson to the Seattle Seahawks.

General manager Mike Mayock and head coach Jon Gruden have now used a first-round selection on a player from Alabama in three consecutive drafts, taking Leatherwood after picking Josh Jacobs in 2019 and Henry Ruggs in 2020.

Draft profile

Ideal position: Left tackle, right tackle

A three-year starter at Alabama with long arms and a physical on-field presence, you'd be hard-pressed to find an offensive line coach that wouldn't fall in love with Leatherwood. The All-American tackle effortlessly paved holes in the run game, imposing his will against SEC defenders with raw power at the point of attack. He's a little stiff as a pass-blocker and his overall technique requires a bit of polish, but there are plenty of traits to mold here. Leatherwood isn't a space player - place him in a run-first offense that runs gap assignments and watch him shine.