Jalen McKenzie was the only offensive tackle the Las Vegas Raiders signed to a reserve/future contract last month.
The Raiders had previously added McKenzie to the practice squad back in October. He had been released by the Seattle Seahawks as part of final roster cuts in August.
Seattle added McKenzie to its practice squad in September 2022. Before that, he had been cut by the Tennessee Titans, who signed him as an undrafted free agent.
Before entering the NFL, McKenzie spent five seasons (four active) with the University of Southern California (USC), where he made 19 starts in 42 games. He redshirted his freshman season in 2017-18.
McKenzie played offensive tackle in all 12 of USC's games in the 2018 season. The next season, McKenzie started 11 games at right guard and two at right tackle.
The 2020 college football season was when McKenzie really began to separate himself in the Pac-12, as he was named an All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention. In his final season with USC, however, McKenzie made just five starts in 12 games.
© George Walker IV / T | 2022 Jul 29
McKenzie has some close ties to the Raiders, starting with his grandfather, Reggie McKenzie, who served as the Raiders' General Manager from 2012 to 2018. Jalen McKenzie also played four seasons with fellow Raiders teammates Isaiah Pola-Mao and Kana'i Mauga while at USC.
The Raiders will likely be looking to add an offensive tackle in the 2024 NFL Draft, which would decrease Jalen McKenzie's chances of making the 53-man roster. His ability to excel at both tackle and guard does make him valuable, but his severe lack of experience in the NFL does not at all help his chances of making the team.
Jalen McKenzie is on a one-year, $795,000 contract.
From February 27 to March 4, 2024, the NFL Scouting Combine will be held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind.
The NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Mich., on April 25-27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders currently hold the No. 13 overall pick.
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