The offensive tackle position might be a point of emphasis for the Las Vegas Raiders this offseason.
With team captain, Kolton Miller, missing four games with the first serious injury of his career this past season and offensive tackles Jermaine Eluemunor and Brandon Parker being free agents, it could end up being very critical that Las Vegas develops a future plan for that position group.
This means that Raiders veteran offensive tackle DJ Fluker's role could expand as well. Fluker, who was signed to the practice squad in December, has not played in an NFL game since 2020, but there's reason to believe a comeback could be in his future.
The 32-year-old lineman was drafted by the San Diego (now Los Angeles) Chargers in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft, Raiders General Manager Tom Telesco's first year as the Chargers' GM. Fluker made 59 starts during his four years in San Diego.
While it's been over 10 years since Telesco and the Chargers' organization first drafted Fluker, Telesco does know the veteran's capabilities as well as anyone. Should Fluker prove he still has what it takes to have an impact in this league, there could very well be a spot for him on the roster at the end of training camp. Then again, that still depends on what the offensive tackle room looks like by that time.
Fluker was one of the first 15 players to be signed by the Raiders to reserve/future contracts earlier this month. He is currently on a one-year contract worth $1,210,000.
Fluker's last active season was in 2020-21 when he made eight starts in 16 appearances for the Baltimore Ravens. In between that season and his time with the Chargers, he had a one-year stint with the New York Giants and a two-year stint with the Seattle Seahawks.
From February 27 to March 4, 2024, the NFL Scouting Combine will be held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind.
The NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Mich., on April 25-27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders currently hold the No. 13 overall pick.
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