Potentially in the mix to start at right tackle with rookie first-round pick Kolton Miller, young offensive lineman Vadal Alexander likely won’t get that opportunity.
The former seventh-round pick from LSU was suspended four games by the NFL on Tuesday for violating the league’s performance enhancing drug (PED) policy.
#Raiders OT Vadal Alexander has been suspended four games for violating the league's rules on performance enhancing drugs.
— Levi Damien (@LeviDamien) May 1, 2018
Entering his third NFL season, Alexander has started nine career games. He figured to get some play as a potential starter under first-year Raiders head coach Jon Gruden.
Despite boasting one of the most-talented and expensive offensive lines in the NFL, Oakland has set forth to improve the unit even more. The addition of Miller in the first round of last week’s draft magnifies this.
Whether Alexander’s suspension will have any bearing on his future in Oakland remains to be seen. But Gruden has shown himself to be a no-nonsense figure in his short time back with the Raiders.