DJ Glaze
Getty
Las Vegas Raiders' right tackle DJ Glaze is hoping to bounce back against an elite opponent.
The Las Vegas Raiders knew there would be growing pains when they drafted right tackle DJ Glaze in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Thrust into the starting lineup as a rookie, Glaze’s development is being tested immediately against some of the league’s top pass rushers. Week 1 offered a harsh reality check for the young lineman, as he struggled against the New England Patriots in a narrow win. Now, with Monday Night Football against the Los Angeles Chargers looming, the challenge doesn’t get any easier.
Raiders’ DJ Glaze Aims for Redemption After Week 1 Struggle
According to Pro Football Focus, Glaze finished among the Raiders’ bottom three offensive performers against New England, earning a 48.2 overall grade with three pressures allowed.
There’s another problem arising. Right guard Jackson Powers-Johnson, who lines up next to Glaze, has missed a second straight day of practice with a recent concussion he suffered during Friday’s practice.
With Powers-Johnson likely missing Monday night’s game, it adds to the pressure Glaze is already dealing with.
But the Raiders haven’t lost confidence in Glaze. His athleticism and size at 6’4″ and 331 pounds were key reasons Las Vegas invested a Day 2 pick in him, and while he looked overmatched at times, the franchise views him as a potential long-term building block.
Glaze commented on the team’s performance against the Patriots last week and understands the team needs to be better up front.
“There’s always going to be adjustments to make. We’re just going to watch the film, you know, going to try to translate to the field…you can only get better. We didn’t play our best game up front.”
Now, he’ll face one of the NFL’s premier pass rushers in Khalil Mack, who remains an elite force well into his 30s and will test Glaze’s technique, patience, and ability to adapt on the fly.
Khalil Mack and the Chargers Pose Another Major Test
Khalil Mack
GettyIsiah Pacheco #10 of the Kansas City Chiefs and Khalil Mack #52 of the Los Angeles Chargers.
If Week 1 was a tough start, Week 2 may feel like trial by fire. Mack, a former Raider, has long been one of the league’s most dominant edge rushers. The good news for Glaze is that the Chargers deploy Mack on both sides of the line, meaning he won’t be tasked with stopping him the whole game.
But Mack isn’t the only player Glaze will have to worry about.
The Chargers boast one of the deepest groups of pass rushers in the league, including Tuli Tuipulotu, Bud Dupree, and rookie Kyle Kennard. They aren’t on Mack’s level, but they offer different skill sets to get to the quarterback. It’s a chance for Glaze to show that he can learn from his previous mistakes, adjust, and hold his own against top-tier competition.
Regardless, facing Mack is no easy task, but it’s the kind of challenge that can accelerate Glaze’s growth. He could end up being the deciding factor in whether the team can pull off a win against the Chargers.