The Raider Family: Molding the Next Generation of Linemen

Now it may not be the biggest coaching announcement made today, but the Raiders have filled one of the numerous coaching vacancies they have.  It may not be the most important coaching position of this offseason, yet the hiring speaks volumes for both the type of football the Raiders want to play as well as their possible plans for this year’s draft and their first pick in the second round.

So who was the hiring?

Steve Wisniewski, the legendary Raiders offensive lineman, has come aboard the organization again as an assistant offensive line coach.  Steve spent his entire career as a Raider and made the Pro-Bowl eight times over his lengthy career and was also the team’s captain for seven years.

Needless to say, the man bleeds Silver and Black, but will his nephew bleed those same colors?

Stefen Wisniewski is one of the best guard/center prospects in this year’s draft class.   Both these positions seem to be some of the Raiders' biggest needs in the offseason.  Stefen is predicted as a late first- or second-round pick, yet based on numerous prospects bolstering their stock at the Senior Bowl, I could see Stefen falling to the Raiders on day two.

This would give the Raiders one of the youngest lines in the NFL if they started these young talents (Veldheer, Campbell, Wisniewski), as well as some of the best raw line prospects who can be molded by a Raider great.

If the Raiders have the chance to draft Stefen, they can’t pass up that opportunity to draft not only one of their biggest needs but also one of the most under-rated prospects in the draft.

Hopefully Stefen falls to the Raiders on day two, and the Raiders can have another great lineman who will be taught by one of the greatest Raider linemen of all time, who just happens to be his uncle.

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