Entering the 2025 NFL Draft, we knew that the Las Vegas Raiders had to address both the interior and the tackle spots of the offensive line. And, that could have been for either the future as a starter, or depth, they just needed some bodies.
Last season, the Raiders' two offensive tackles, Kolton Miller and DJ Glaze, finished top 10 in blown blocks, per Sports Info Solutions. Alex Cappa, the former Cincinnati Bengals guard, who, as the first signing of the offseason, was also in the top ten last year in blown blocks. Of course, the Raiders also finished fifth in the league in sacks allowed.
So, yes, something had to be done -- leaving the 2025 NFL Draft with not one rookie offensive lineman would have been a crazy thing to do. Luckily, they made trades with the Miami Dolphins and Houston Texans to get more picks on Day 2. They used two picks to get an offensive lineman. One of them was an offensive tackle that not many casual fans know about, but man, is he good.
Raiders have possible long-term backup plan in Charles Grant
Charles Grant is an offensive tackle from the College of William & Mary, a small FCS school, but he is a player who absolutely dominated his competition. Grant started for three years at left tackle, with 41 starts total, including 36 in a row. In 2024, his senior year, he earned Consensus All-America First Team honors.
Grant’s strengths come from his athleticism and technique. He’s strong in pass protection, allowing only two sacks in his last three seasons, using his long arms and good hand skills. And we know that is what the Raiders desperately need.
His play earned him a spot in the 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl, a key event for scouts to be able to see some of the smaller school players go up against some of the best older players in the country -- guys who will likely play in the NFL.
At 21 years old, Grant is viewed as a player with room to grow but starter potential, and he showed that at the Senior Bowl. That's really where he started to make a name for himself and show what he's all about.
The Raiders would like for him to compete for the right tackle spot with DJ Glaze, but if they can't get a deal done with Kolton Miller, who is currently in a contract dispute and holding out from offseason workouts, then they have themselves a backup plan at left tackle.
Charles Grant, OL, William & Mary Scouting Report
Age: 23 (3/22/2002)
A to Z Sports Draft Projection: 86 Overall, 3rd Round
Scouting Report: It's always quite difficult to tell just how good lower-level offensive tackles are given the complete incompetence of the competition they're facing off against much of the time, but Charles Grant's absurd level of dominance last year has caught the eye of many NFL scouts. Grant threw around his competition at William & Mary last season after already putting together two quality starting years prior to that. He has the typical measurements teams look for in offensive tackles, given his wide frame and long arms. After allowing just three sacks in the last three seasons, combined teams are likely going to take a chance on the tools and small school dominance in the early to mid rounds. He's just an average athlete, so the ceiling might not be high with him, but he looks like an eventual starter in the NFL. - Travis May, A to Z Sports NFL Draft Analyst
Career Projection: Eventual Average Starter
