When a new head coach steps in, it's all about tailoring the team to fit their vision. For the Las Vegas Raiders, that meant making some strategic moves to align with Klint Kubiak's offensive blueprint. One major piece of the puzzle was securing Tyler Linderbaum, a standout center, to anchor the line and reset the market at his position.
Kubiak's offense thrives with a fullback, so the Raiders didn't hesitate to bring in Connor Heyward from the Steelers on a two-year, $5.5 million deal. This move was part of a broader strategy to bolster the offensive line, which struggled with depth last season. Kubiak and GM John Spytek clearly had this on their radar as they navigated the initial wave of free agency.
Enter Spencer Burford. After a visit on Tuesday, the Raiders inked a deal with the versatile offensive lineman. Burford, drafted by the 49ers in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, has significant experience with 38 starts under his belt, mostly at right guard but with stints at left guard and even left tackle.
During Kubiak's tenure as the 49ers' passing game coordinator in 2023, Burford started 13 games at right guard. Now, with Jackson Powers-Johnson at left guard, the Raiders might see some healthy competition on the right side between Burford and Caleb Rogers.
Burford's performance in 2023 wasn't without its challenges. Pro Football Focus gave him a 50.3 overall grade, ranking him 64th out of 79 qualifying guards.
However, his run blocking grade of 62.9 showed promise. Ideally, Burford will provide depth across both guard spots, leveraging his familiarity with Kubiak's system.
The Raiders have been strategic in signing players with ties to Kubiak. While not all moves were high-profile, bringing in players like former Seahawks receiver Dareke Young and Burford, who know Kubiak's style, is a smart play. It’s clear that Spytek and Kubiak are working closely to shape a roster that aligns with their shared vision, and the results are starting to show promise.