Austin

Howard

The Raiders signed Rodger Saffold to play left tackle and have 2013 second-rounder Menelik Watson at right tackle. So either they have something up their sleeve, drastically overpaid Saffold to play guard or already want to give up on Watson. Howard isn’t going to hurt for suitors as the tackles are getting scooped quickly off the market.

This locks in Marshall Newhouse as the Raiders’ starting right tackle, making him easily the weakest link on this elite line. Howard, 30, made it through three years of a five-year, $30 million deal and started 39-of-40 games he appeared in for the Silver and Black. He’s recovering from offseason shoulder surgery but should be at or near 100 percent. Expect OL-needy teams to give him a call.

Howard, 30, made 11 starts for Oakland last season, but the Raiders turned the job over to Marshall Newhouse and cut Howard to free up money. Howard has started 72 games in his career and will push James Hurst for the starting right tackle job. Hurst was a turnstile as an eight-game starter in 2015 and was relegated to swing duties last year. Howard should have the upper hand as long as he’s over January’s shoulder operation.

The Raiders gave Howard first-team minicamp reps after he missed OTAs. He had solid PFF grades as a 13-game starter last year, but struggled as a run blocker. Howard is competing with Menelik Watson.

Howard went down late in the season, and was sidelined for most of the offseason. Coach Jack Del Rio implied in March that Howard would face competition for his job, but it appears he’s getting the benefit of the doubt. If Howard gets pushed, it will be by Menelik Watson.

Allen said the Raiders want to start the “best five linemen.” Howard inked a five-year, $30 million deal on day two of free agency. If we were to predict what the Raiders would like their Week 1 line to look like, we’d go LT Donald Penn, LG Kevin Boothe, C Stefen Wisniewski, RG Howard, and RT Menelik Watson. Tony Bergstrom could push Boothe. Mike Brisiel is a release candidate.

According to reporter Vittorio Tafur, the Raiders are “hoping/expecting” second-year pro Menelik Watson can man right tackle. Howard was a below-average tackle last season, but has zero NFL experience at guard. At 6-foot-7, he’d be a mountainous interior lineman, while he’s been an inconsistent run blocker. Considering how poor Watson’s rookie season was, there’s still a strong chance Howard ends up at right tackle.

Howard, 27, spent the last two seasons starting at right tackle in New York. In 2013, he graded out 47th among 76 qualifiers in Pro Football Focus’ tackle ratings. (New bookend Rodger Saffold came in 18th among 81 guards, though he will play left tackle in Oakland.) Howard is a 6-foot-7, 333-pound power blocker, though he struggled in the run game last season. Either way, it’s a solid pickup for GM Reggie McKenzie at the end of free agency’s first day.

Howard had a breakout year before going down last week, grading out as PFF’s No. 9 right tackle. His loss is a pass-protection concern for Derek Carr. Khalif Barnes or J’Marcus Webb will replace Howard opposite Donald Penn.

Austin Howard was solid as a 13-game starter last season, but he ended the year on injured reserve with a knee injury which will likely keep him out of the offseason program. Menelik Watson is coming back from an Achilles’ injury, but it sounds like he should be ready for OTAs. The early availability could give Watson a leg up, but Howard played well enough to earn the benefit of the doubt. The Raiders should have one of the best offensive lines in the league this season.