According to multiple reports, offensive lineman Kelechi Osemele is set to sign an extension with the Oakland Raiders. The new deal is reportedly for five years and is worth a total of $60 million over the life of the contract. Osemele played out his rookie deal with the Baltimore Ravens from 2012-15.
When the market opens tomorrow, Kelechi Osemele will become the newest member of the #Raiders. The two sides have an agreement in principle.
— Rand Getlin (@RandGetlin) March 8, 2016
The Kelechi Osemele deal — 5 years, $60M max — is wild. Highest paid guard in NFL history. Crazy $$. #Raiders beef up that line.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 8, 2016
Kelechi Osemele To Sign with Oakland Raiders
Osemele started 51 games in four seasons with the Ravens, and played four of the five offensive line positions. Osemele has been regarded as one of the best offensive lineman in the league, not just for his versatility but his speed and power combinations.
The former second-round pick out of Iowa State started every game of his rookie season. He started his career at right tackle, and for the only time in his four-year career, he was healthy enough to make all 16 starts. In that rookie year he was able to help the Ravens win Super Bowl XLVII.
In 2013, he moved to the left guard position. However after starting his first seven games he was declared out for the year with a back injury.
2014 was the real breakout for Osemele. He was banged up during the season, and missed Weeks 7 and 8, but started 14 games at left guard. That year he was named a second-team All-Pro performer, and helped get the Ravens back to the playoffs.
In 2015, injuries derailed the Ravens entire season. While Osemele was typically healthy last year, even he missed two games due to a knee injury. What the injuries did, however, was push him back into the spot of playing multiple positions. He started a couple of games at left tackle in relief of the injured Eugene Monroe, and had swapped to right guard at times as the Ravens moved fellow guard Marshall Yanda around the line as well. This last year should be good for him, as his versatility and the thought that he can play anywhere but center should be something valuable.
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