The Oakland Raiders drafted Florida State offensive tackle Menelik Watson in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft, but what are their plans with him going forward? Well, beat writer Vic Tarfur of the San Francisco Chronicle thinks that Watson will be the starting right tackle in 2013.
NFL Draft 2013: Menelik Watson expected to start at RT for Raiders
Oakland Raiders draftee Menelik Watson should compete for and win the starting right tackle job from Khalif Barnes this season.
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Watson was considered a potential first-round pick heading into the draft, but was passed up for the large group of tackles that went early on in the first round. He’s got a high ceiling and many did believe that he could come in and compete for a starting job in his rookie season.
He'll have to deal with Khalif Barnes, who started the final nine games of the 2012 season on the right side. Tarfur thinks it won't be much of a competition though, because the Raiders will want to kick Barnes inside to the right guard spot.
Mike Brisiel started 15 games at right guard last season, but he played extremely poorly and many believe he's not a fit for Oakland's power-style blocking scheme. If he competed with Barnes for the job at right guard, it stands to reason that Barnes would walk away the victor.
Jared Veldheer was the starting left tackle for the Raiders last season, and he played well. His job is not in doubt, and Watson was likely brought in with the right side in mind.
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