Raiders may get extended look at future of the offensive line in Week 4

The Las Vegas Raiders finally got a taste of rookie guard Jackson Powers-Johnson’s potential during Sunday’s loss versus the Carolina Panthers.

The former Oregon standout shockingly replaced Dylan Parham at right guard in the second half of Week 3, playing 21 snaps and allowing one pressure with a 76.5 pass protection grade, according to Pro Football Focus.

The move to insert him in over Parham was shocking because Parham has been playing well this season. If anything, JPJ should have gotten a look at left guard, where Cody Whitehair has struggled.

Heading into Week 4, Powers-Johnson is expected to get more reps, something head coach Antonio Pierce revealed on Wednesday. But it isn’t clear if he’ll be on the left or right side, or if he’ll even start. One would assume Powers-Johnson will start at left guard, leaving Parham at right guard.

Antonio Pierce was asked if rookie guard Jackson Powers-Johnson showed enough last week to earn more reps moving forward:

“Yes, he did.”#Raiders

— Levi Edwards (@theleviedwards) September 25, 2024Powers-Johnson’s impressive debut and potential Week 4 start has garnered most of the media attention, but rookie offensive tackle DJ Glaze could also be in line for his first start on Sunday.

Glaze filled in for Thayer Munford Jr. at right tackle after the former Buckeye exited the Raiders’ contest against the Panthers in the first half due to a knee injury. 

Glaze, an extremely controversial pick by general manager Tom Telesco in April’s draft, had an up-and-down debut, logging 49 snaps, surrendering one sack and five quarterback pressures with a 67.7 pass-blocking grade, per PFF. The former Maryland standout also posted a 54.8 run-blocking grade.

With Munford missing practice on Wednesday and Thursday, Glaze could be in line for his first career start in Week 4 against the Cleveland Browns.

#Raiders not at practice today:

– DE Maxx Crosby (ankle)
– LB Divine Deablo (oblique)
– OT Thayer Munford (knee/ankle)
– CB Decamerion Richardson (hamstring)

None of those players practiced yesterday, either.

— Tashan Reed (@tashanreed) September 26, 2024The Raiders’ offensive line has been extremely disappointing through three weeks, and there is little positive around the unit. But Powers-Johnson and Glaze stacking together solid performances will build excitement for the future in the trenches in Las Vegas.