The Las Vegas Raiders have made a decision on who will start at right guard in Week 1, head coach Pete Carroll confirmed on Sunday.
According to Carroll, 2024 second-round pick Jackson Powers-Johnson will get the nod at right guard. JPJ had been competing with veteran Alex Cappa for the job, which was one of the more surprising developments during the offseason.
Following the 2024 campaign, Powers-Johnson was widely expected to be the team's starting center. He played well at the position during his rookie campaign and it was believed he would move there full time in 2025 given his experience there during his college career.
However, the Raiders instead decided to give Jordan Meredith first-team looks there in practice and he ended up getting up the job, leaving JPJ in a battle with Cappa for a starting spot at right guard.
With JPJ the confirmed starter at right guard, here's how Las Vegas' starting offensive line will shake out to begin the season:
- Left tackle: Kolton Miller
- Left guard: Dylan Parham
- Center: Jordan Meredith
- Right guard: Jackson Powers-Johnson
- Right tackle: DJ Glaze
The biggest surprise from this group is no doubt Meredith, who figured to be in the mix for a starting role at guard but wasn't expected to grab the center spot, let alone grab it as early as he did.
It remains unclear why JPJ went from a seeming lock to start to having to fight for a starting job, but at least he is one of the five.
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