Quarterback was the biggest priority for the Las Vegas Raiders this offseason. And, there is a reason why they drafted Ashton Jeanty, and traded for Geno Smith, the former Seattle Seahawks QB, and not go any other routes.
The Raiders didn't feel the need to unload all of their assets and money on the offensive line this offseason. Did they need to address it? Yes. Did they need to rebuild it? No. The offensive line got better as the year went on last season, at least in the pass game. The run game still had some work to do.
And that is also a big reason the Raiders were happy with getting Geno Smith. When they did so, a ton of fans smirked and tried talking themselves out of the idea of him being their QB. But, he's good, despite some of the film not backing that up with the mental errors he made last season. But it's not all his fault.
Geno Smith had a terrible offensive line with the Seahawks
Smith struggled a bit because he had run for his life a lot. He won't have to do that as often with the Raiders.
According to Sports Info Solutions, Smith threw seven touchdowns, 11 interceptions, and was sacked 54 times while under pressure. Smith threw the most interceptions in the league while under pressure, and the Seahawks played the sixth-most snaps with pressure on the QB.
Darnold, with the Vikings, who have a much better offensive line, threw for a league-high 14 touchdowns under pressure and only four interceptions on 237 pressured dropbacks. But he could see the same issue Smith did in 2024, in his first season with the Seahawks in 2025.
As far as Smith, we could see a better version of him in 2025 with a better offensive line, and maybe the best offensive line he has ever had in his entire career. Darnold will have a much worse offensive line than he had last year with the Minnesota Vikings.
18. Las Vegas Raiders
Following a slow start to his season during which he allowed multiple sacks, Kolton Miller showed in 2024 once again that he brings excellent pass-blocking chops at left tackle. His 82.2 PFF pass-blocking grade ranked 11th among all offensive tackles. Dylan Parham enjoyed a breakout season at left guard, posting a 17th-ranked 74.3 PFF overall grade. Right tackle DJ Glaze and center Jackson Powers-Johnson showed promising signs as rookies, but they need to take a step forward for the Raiders' offensive line to be considered above average. - Pro Football Focus
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30. Seattle Seahawks
There is not much to suggest that the Seahawks won't again field a bottom-tier offensive line. Seattle used its first-round pick on Grey Zabel, who is projected to start at left guard. However, a rookie who played at the FCS level last season is unlikely to provide a significant upgrade to a unit that allowed the second-highest pressure rate in 2024 (34.5%). - Pro Football Focus
The Raiders are very confident in their offensive line. And, yes, 18th best may not seem great, but it's significantly better than the second-worst in the league. And, the Raiders played and started two rookies last year, and several of their offensive linemen played through injuries all year. Then, you can factor in the bad scheme under former Chicago Bears OC Luke Getsy, who was fired fairly quickly.
This year, the offensive line could be very good, and the depth is very solid, too. Smith has got to be so much happier right now.
