Raiders set to cut 2021 first-round pick Leatherwood
Alex Leatherwood’s time with the Las Vegas Raiders appears to be up after reports said the 23-year-old offensive linesman would be cut.
The Las Vegas Raiders are waiving offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood – last year’s first-round draft pick – after failing to find a willing trade partner, according to multiple reports.
Leatherwood started all 17 games in his rookie season after being selected 17th overall in the 2021 draft by the since-departed regime of general manager Mike Mayock and head coach Jon Gruden. After a decorated collegiate career at Alabama, Leatherwood opened last season at right tackle but moved inside to guard after struggling on the edge. Leatherwood would have carried a salary cap hit of $3.27million this season, followed by price tags of $3.92million and $4.58million in the next two seasons.
The Raiders, now under the leadership of GM Dave Ziegler and coach Josh McDaniels, tried to trade Leatherwood but were unable to receive compensation for the struggling offensive lineman. Those in the Raiders’ new regime have tried to distance themselves from their predecessors’ often-questioned choices. Wide receiver Henry Ruggs and cornerback Damon Arnette, both former first-round picks under Mayock and Gruden, are out of the league after serious off-field incidents. Running back Josh Jacobs, defensive end Clelin Ferrell and safety Johnathan Abram, all first-round picks in 2019, remain with the team but had their 2023 contract options declined by the Raiders in April.