Raiders OL Alex Leatherwood Ready To Play With Chip On Shoulder

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Former Alabama offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood is now a member of the Las Vegas Raiders after being drafted 17th overall in Thursday's NFL Draft held in Cleveland.

Leatherwood has an attitude, one that should carry over to the rest of the offensive line.

"He was the highest-rated player on our board at that time, offense or defense," Raiders GM Mike Mayock said Thursday night, via the team's official website.

A lot of so-called experts didn't even have Leatherwood getting drafted in the first round. So it was a shock to many to see the Raiders go the offensive line route.

"It definitely put a chip on my shoulder," Leatherwood said. "It bothered me a little bit, but at the same time I'm not a media guy. I'm not the type of dude to get caught up in all that garbage, because I know what my film said about me and the GM and the coach, they know that as well.

"I'm just grateful that they watched that film and saw me as good enough to be the 17th overall pick. I'm more than excited to get to the program and prove them right."









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Matt has been a part of the Cleveland Sports landscape working in the media since 1994 when he graduated from broadcasting school. His coverage beats include the Cleveland Indians, Cleveland Browns and Cleveland Cavaliers. He's written three books, and won the "2020 AP Sports Stringer Lifetime Service Award."