One of the items on the Raiders’ to-do list for this offseason is to invest in the offensive line. Quarterback Derek Carr and running back Latavius Murray can’t produce without the big guys up front doing the protecting and blocking.
So many NFL observers predict the Raiders will dip into the draft and free agency to acquire a guard or tackle that could step in and make an immediate impact.
This week Matt Claassen of Pro Football Focus, the analytic website, published his list of top 10 potential offensive line free agents, and there certainly could be some talent available for Oakland general manager Reggie McKenzie to choose from.
Bills tackle Cordy Glenn tops Claassen’s list. Others (in order of rank) include guard-tackle Kelechi Osemele of the Ravens, tackle Kelvin Beachum of the Steelers, tackle Mitchell Schwartz of the Browns, Bills guard Richie Incognito, Broncos guard Evan Mathis, Falcons tackle Ryan Schraeder and Texans guard Brandon Brooks. At No. 10 on the list is Jaguars center Stefen Wisniewski, but the Raiders already have been down that path before, and they allowed Wisniewski to leave after 2014.
But No. 5 on Claassen’s list -- between Schwartz and Incognito -- is Raiders left tackle Donald Penn.
Penn, who’s played the past two seasons in Oakland, is due to become an unrestricted free agent in March and has said he’d like to remain a Raider for the rest of his career. So far, however, McKenzie hasn’t said anything publicly about trying to work out a new deal to keep him.
Based on what the Raiders already have seen from Penn, however, it might be wise for McKenzie to simply invest in a known quantity – Penn – rather than bring in someone new to protect Carr’s blindside.
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Pro Football Focus gave Penn, a 6-foot-5, 305-pounder, a solid grade of 84.6 in 2015, with Claassen noting: “He had a top-10 overall grade in each of the last two seasons, which were also two of his best three years in protection. He has earned a positive run block grade in every season of the PFF era (since 2007). In a league that has a dire need of good pass protectors, a veteran like Penn should be valued.”
If Penn comes back at left tackle, and with Gabe Jackson and Rodney Hudson set at center, McKenzie would be able to focus on improving right guard or right tackle.
Solid left tackles can play very well into their mid 30s, and Penn will turn 33 in late April. He may have another good 2-3 seasons remaining.
Penn certainly wants to be wearing silver and black again on opening day in 2016.
“It’s not up to me,” he told reporter Scott Bair following the last game of the 2015 season. “I did everything I could do. The business side is the part that sucks. I have to sit back and wait until I hear something.”
