Raiders might rival Cowboys for NFL’s best offensive line now

The Oakland Raiders made a late-night/early-morning deal with left tackle Donald Penn and now have ensured they’re set up front.

How set? Maybe best-in-the-league set. That’s right, Dallas Cowboys fans, my email address is below.

The Cowboys enter the season because of continuity as having the best O-line in the game. That horse has been beaten quite a bit, and for good reason. They essentially have six starters, too, with Ronald Leary good enough to start for more teams.

But the closer you look, the Cowboys might not be quite as dominant as everyone wants you to believe. And the Raiders might now be set to pass them.

First the Cowboys. We love Zach Martin. An absolute building block next to blue-collar, heady center Travis Frederick. Tyron Smith might be the best left tackle in the game. La’el Collins showed real promise a year ago, but he’s still coming along. Doug Free might be on the decline, and Chaz Green is an unknown.

Still, it’s a group most teams would love to go to war with. But aren’t the Raiders toe to toe with them in terms of talent?

The one biggest question last season was J’Marcus Webb, and replacing him with Kelechi Osemele. That’s akin to going from a Hyundai to a 5 Series. Gabe Jackson quickly is becoming one of the best guards in the league, too, so the interior three of Osemele, Jackson and center Rodney Hudson could be the best in the NFL.

Penn is a good left tackle, and Austin Howard is a respectable right tackle, but maybe nothing special. They’re a bit too penalty-prone, too, with 17 committed between them last season. But with such good help inside, that should level off a bit. The healthy return of Menelik Watson could make the tackles even better.

I might personally take Smith and Free over the Raiders’ duo, but I am serious when I say that the Raiders three inside guys might actually be better than the Cowboys’ interior. What a debate that would be. Right now, it’s a terrific debate, but it likely won’t play out until the Raiders suit up with their new additions.

Derek Carr should be happy. He has a great line, an emerging No. 1 receiver (Amari Cooper), a solid No. 2 in Michael Crabtree, the draft sure to provide more help and a defense that will help get him the ball back in better field position. What a time — finally! — to be a Raiders fan.

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Eric Edholm is a writer for Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Eric_Edholm