With the summer exhibition season halfway done, it appears Menelik Watson has the edge in the battle at right tackle and will start for the Raiders this season.
No official announcement has been made, of course, and Oakland has remaining preseason games vs. the Titans Saturday night and the Seahawks on Sept. 1.
But in his comments this week after the team’s second exhibition vs. the Packers, head coach Jack Del Rio singled out Watson as bringing something special to the position.
“It’s going well,” Del Rio said of the competition between Watson and veteran Austin Howard. “Both guys have had good camps, staying healthy. We’re happy about that. I think it’s great to have Menelik back. He brings a little temperament, a little athleticism to the position. Obviously, Austin filled in and did a great job for us last year. That’s been a good competition.”
Watson, a second-round pick of the Raiders in 2013, lost all of his 2015 season because of injury, just when it appeared he had earned the starting spot at right tackle. Howard stepped in and played very well.
But Howard has experience at both guard and tackle, and could provide the Raiders great depth if Watson earns the starting job. The 6-foot-5, 310-pounder has been long on potential but short of production in his brief NFL career because of injuries and inexperience. In his first two seasons in Oakland he’s played just 17 games, including 12 starts (nine of those in 2014).
Recently, Raiders offensive line coach Mike Tice said Watson is healthy again and has been working with the team’s strength and conditioning coach to get stronger and more fit, hopefully to stave off the injuries that have kept him off the field.
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“We’re just hopeful he can sustain what he’s started out in camp, which is playing at a high level and performing and getting his reps,” said Tice.
Watson came into camp this summer eager to win the starting job while also having a new attitude. He told a reporter recently that he’s had a “real change in mentality.”
“I’m not worried about getting injured,” Watson said. “I’m not worried about making mistakes. I’m focused on getting better and just playing free. I cherish every day where I get to go out and have fun.”
So far, it’s an approach that appears to be working.
