Raiders look at Jackson Powers-Johnson's role with Andre James injured | Raiders news

The Raiders will undoubtedly look to sign a quarterback in April.

This means they need the right infrastructure to support a franchise passerby. Like a strong offensive line, a group that has been a mixed bag for the Raiders through the first eight weeks of the season.

The group deserves plenty of credit for the team averaging 79 rushing yards per game, the second fewest in the NFL. It's also fair to question offensive coordinator Luke Getsy's zone-based scheme and whether it's a good fit with the staff.

The Raiders (2-6) were at least good in pass protection. Left tackle Kolton Miller has worked his way back into form over the last four games after missing training camp while recovering from offseason shoulder surgery. Rookie right tackle DJ Glaze has also been a revelation and appears to be someone the team can build around.

Miller gave up six sacks in his first four games and hasn't allowed a single one since. Since taking over when Thayer Munford Jr. suffered knee and ankle injuries, Glaze has given up two sacks in six games.

Right back Dylan Parham was having a strong season before suffering a foot injury that kept him out the last two weeks. His replacement, Jordan Meredith, played well.

Rookie second-round pick Jackson Powers-Johnson has done well after missing almost all of training camp and the Raiders' first two games due to an undisclosed injury. He started the last five games at left back, but was moved to center late after his team's loss to the Chiefs on October 27 after Andre James suffered an ankle injury.

Find the best fits

The Raiders will spend the next nine games deciding who they can advance with. The offensive line clearly has some goalies. The team just has to decide where everyone fits best.

James' injury opens the door for Powers-Johnson to play more at center, where he was an All-American at Oregon. Veteran Cody Whitehair came into play on the left side when Powers-Johnson slipped.

“It’s tough,” Powers-Johnson said of the position change in the middle of the game. “But I have great people around me. The whole line is pushing and wanting me to be great.”

Ultimately, he didn't miss a beat in the center. This opened some eyes in the organization.

“I think it’s cool to see that a young rookie can handle that, the mental part of it,” Getsy said.

It will be interesting to see if Powers-Johnson's temporary position change becomes more permanent.

James is ranked 32nd out of 37 best centers in the NFL by the website Pro Football Focus. He agreed to a three-year extension in March, but the Raiders could move on this offseason with minimal financial consequences if they wish.

The club would be able to move forward with a lineup of Parham, Powers-Johnson and Meredith if the trio shows they can play well together.

“When you have smart people like Dylan and Cody and Jordan and Jackson, you can kind of figure out at the end of the week what's the best fit and what makes the most sense to get going,” Getsy said. “But honestly, everything is on the table at the moment.”

Another option for the Raiders would be to explore whether Parham, who participated in limited practice on Wednesday and Thursday, could play center. They have different combinations to experiment with.

“Honestly, I think it’s so much in flux right now that everything is on the table,” Getsy said. “So I guess that’s the cool part.”

Meredith's role

It's impressive that Meredith even inserted herself into the conversation.

He was signed by the Rams as an undrafted free agent out of Western Kentucky in 2021 and moved to the Raiders the following season.

Thanks to Parham's injury, he was given a chance and took advantage of it. According to Pro Football Focus, he gave up no sacks, one rush and one quarterback pressure in 120 pass-blocking snaps.

“Getting the opportunity to go out and compete is always great,” Meredith said.

His play may have opened up a role for Meredith in the future. This is one of several things the Raiders will evaluate along their offensive line as the season progresses.

“What I love about him is his physicality. He’s a blue-collar guy, he’s rough, he’s dirty,” coach Antonio Pierce said. “You just have to have one of those guys who just wants to get dirty and create variety. But more importantly, he doesn’t make many mistakes.”

Contact Vincent Bonsignore at [email protected]. Follow @VinnyBonsignore on X.