Lester Cotton, Guard, Alabama
It was a bit surprising to see the Raiders not draft a guard after trading Kelechi Osemele to the Jets earlier this offseason. However, they may have acquired a diamond in the rough at the position with Lester Cotton.
Standing 6’4″ 324 pounds, Cotton is a massive guard. He started 28 games for the Crimson Tide over his four year career. He allowed zero sacks his senior season and just three quarterback hits.
Cotton went undrafted due to multiple different injuries he suffered throughout his career. If he stayed healthy his talent and college pedigree, he entered as a four star recruit, might’ve gotten him drafted.
Massive guard with an immovable anchor and nasty edge to his game. Rarely pushed around and sets the tone physically as often as possible. Raw power to rag-doll interior defensive lineman to the ground (Rakeem Christmas knows). Hand placement is very good, able to lock down interior d-lineman early in the rep to allow his feet to catch up.
Cotton showed during the National Championship game how powerful he could be.
The best move of this draft is the @Raiders adding my #1 ranked Guard, Lester Cotton Sr.
Congrats @LesterSr_66. You deserve it. The film doesn't lie.#RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/nwjjLKv0uq
— Sanjit T. (@Sanjit__T) April 28, 2019
Currently Denzelle Good is poised to start at right guard with Chaz Green behind him. Both received below average grades from Pro Football Focus last year and aren’t likely the future at the position.
Cotton has the college pedigree and talent to end up seeing snaps on the Raiders’ line. He has to stay healthy, but Cotton certainly had the talent to be drafted and could eventually end up being a steal.
