Former Alabama Offensive Lineman Making Waves with Las Vegas Raiders
One former member of the Alabama Crimson Tide is finally getting his shot to be an everyday starter for the Las Vegas Raiders.
It is offensive guard and Tuscaloosa native Lester Cotton Sr., who went undrafted in the 2019 NFL draft and has bounced around from the Raiders active roster and practice squad.
After the Raiders struggled with their offensive line last season, the opportunity has never been more available for the taking for Cotton. The guard spot has been a position battle all offseason, and based on what the team has said about Cotton combined with his play in the team’s first preseason game against Jacksonville, the position may be his to lose.
Cotton spoke to the media about how his process has changed and what earning the starting job would mean for him.
“If I continue doing what I’m doing on the field and continue to compete, it would be an honor,” said Cotton. “I know a lot of guys would be happy for me. I would be happy for myself, obviously. It’ll be an honor and it’ll be good for me to be out there with the guys I’m with and then learning from the guys that were before me like Richie Incognito, Gabe Jackson, Rodney Hudson, all those guys that I actually had the time to see and be behind and study and watch.”
Cotton has gained the support of both Pro Bowl quarterback Derek Carr and newly hired head coach Josh McDaniels from the New England Patriots this offseason, speaking very highly of the Central High School product.
With the way things are trending, a pair of former Alabama offensive linemen (Leatherwood and Cotton) will anchor the right side of the Raiders’ offensive line and will be run-blocking for a pair of former Alabama running backs (Josh Jacobs and Kenyan Drake). Any fans of the Crimson Tide might want to keep an eye on the Raiders this season.