Do you remember the PeopleMover ride at Disneyland? <\/p>\n
I\u2019m likely aging myself with that one, but that was a transport attraction in Tomorrowland at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Calif. It was in operation from 1967 to 1995 and was used as an inter-park public transport that rode on tracks above the theme park, moving park goers from one place to another.<\/p>\n
What does this have to do with the Las Vegas Raiders<\/a> you ask? <\/p>\n General manager John Spytek and head coach Pete Carroll were well-aware of the team\u2019s roster needs heading into the 2025 NFL Draft<\/a>. And the top two decision makers in Las Vegas doubled down on a group of need: The offensive line. <\/p>\n By selecting Texas Tech\u2019s Caleb Rogers with the 98th overall pick and William & Mary\u2019s Charles Grant with the 99th selection, the Raiders landed two people movers of their own with back-to-back choices in the third round of the draft. <\/p>\n Being taken right after one another isn\u2019t the only similarity between Rogers and Grant. Both have similar measurables at 6-foot-4 and 312 pounds (Rogers) and 6-foot-4 and 311 pounds (Grant). And both spent the vast majority of their productive collegiate careers at offensive tackle. <\/p>\n But as Carroll noted in the post-draft press conference, Rogers is slated to start his NFL career inside at guard while Grant is expected to remain at tackle at the next level. Rogers did dabble on the interior with the Red Raiders and he\u2019s slated to do so with the Raiders in Las Vegas. <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m comfortable with all five positions,\u201d Rogers said during his post-draft media session. \u201cLike I said, I want to be somebody that the team can rely on at every single position … whether they put me at center, they put me at guard. I mean, I\u2019ve played everything. Center, I haven\u2019t played in game, but I\u2019ve got a lot of reps at it. … I\u2019m extremely excited to get out there and just be whoever they need me to be.\u201d<\/p>\n The newly selected offensive linemen do provide requisite strength to hang at the pro level and offer the plus athleticism and movement skills that appear to be a necessity in the new scheme offensive coordinator Chip Kelly is installing in Las Vegas. <\/p>\n \u201cI would describe my play style as fast, relentless, aggressive, versatile,\u201d Rogers said in his post-draft press conference. \u201cI mean, I know they\u2019re bringing me in to hopefully play some interior, but I also want to be able to be some guy that they can have on the edge if they need it.\u201d<\/p>\n Charles Grant had to miss out on the Senior Bowl and parts of the combine due to injury, but his pro day backed up what you could see on film. <\/p>\n Grant is a fluid mover who likes to crush people. Plenty of length to stick at tackle. <\/p>\n pic.twitter.com\/lXEPGiHW9k<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Brady Balhorn – BNB Football (@BnbFootball) April 26, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Grant, who provided a quick and crushing presence for small-school William & Mary, does have a background in wrestling and is eager to see if that skillset and mental fortitude gained in that regard parlays itself into NFL success. <\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s obstacles I\u2019ve had to overcome in wrestling,\u201d Grant noted in his media session. \u201cSo, I used to have the mindset like, \u2018Hey, if I used to do wrestling, if I used to wrestle for like, four hours a day, I know I can persevere through anything I\u2019ve been going through.\u2019 So, just that mental fortitude. And I\u2019d also say my ability to move off the ball, be quick, be nimble and cut the backside off, just things like that. Having that note of how to position your body to be the best fit.\u201d<\/p>\n Shape Up or Ship Out<\/p>\n Carroll and Spytek have preached open competition as the Raiders prep for the 2025 season. The head coach even noted the team is going to throw the rookies right into the fire and not have a slow acclimation period. <\/p>\n The duo of Rogers and Grant not only adds much-needed competition and depth along the Silver & Black\u2019s front lines, it also serves as a wakeup call for other linemen to step up or ship out. <\/p>\n Offensive linemen like Thayer Munford Jr., Dalton Wagner, Gottlieb Ayedze, and Will Putnam need to be on point, along with Alex Cappa, Jordan Meredith, Dylan Parham, and DJ Glaze \u2014 who are slated to compete for starting snaps. Stalwart starter Kolton Miller (left tackle) and promising second-year terrorizer Jackson Powers-Johnson need to be at the top of their game, too. <\/p>\n Munford is a curious case this offseason. <\/p>\n The Ohio State<\/a> product (his time didn\u2019t cross over with Kelly with the Buckeyes) is more of a plodder than mover. He\u2019s a stout anchor type with minus athleticism, really. Ditto for Wagner who is more brute than nimble feet. Both Rogers and Grant have them beat in that regard, however, the aforementioned duo has more pro-level experience than the latter. <\/p>\n This is A+ pocket movement by Geno Smith evading T.J. Watt, but the throw is even more impressive. Fired this pass 35+ yards downfield off platform with perfect accuracy. pic.twitter.com\/ejsEHAhxVz<\/a><\/p>\n