Why Oakland Raiders Should Extend Donald Penn's Contract

The Oakland Raiders should evaluate left tackle Donald Penn’s contract season with a wider scope as opposed to a snapshot approach.

Penn, 32, protects quarterback Derek Carr’s blind side, a crucial responsibility for any offensive lineman who is warding off prolific pass-rushers.

At times, Penn seemed outmatched against some of the league’s best defensive ends, as noted by SilverandBlackPride.com writer Levi Damien:

Even the best players have a few poor performances against some of the league's best athletes.

Damien's tweets highlight unflattering snapshots, but let’s examine the entire body of work. Penn experienced a few subpar weeks, but he still grades out as one of the best offensive tackles in the league, per Pro Football Focus: 

Overall Rating	Overall Position Ranking	Pass-Block Rating	Pass-Block Ranking
8.1	No. 15	10.4	No. 7

Why would the Raiders allow a top-15 offensive tackle to walk in the offseason? Top-tier pass-blockers are coveted in a league that places a premium on quarterback play, where protection becomes paramount. 

Penn doesn’t possess high-end potential at this stage in his career, but he’s worth another two-year deal while another young offensive tackle learns the ropes behind him on the depth chart.

Durability 

Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

In a physical game where injuries factor into a team’s success, talent evaluators often overlook availability.

Penn has started in 137 consecutive games at left tackle, dating back to his tenure with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He took over former offensive tackle Luke Petitgout’s position and became a mainstay within the Buccaneers offensive line. He carried that streak over to Oakland. 

Penn’s streak speaks to his ability to perform adequately at the position—availability cannot save a poor performer’s position in the starting lineup.

Continuity and Performance 

Unlike Penn, right guard J’Marcus Webb has performed poorly in a contract year, grading out a minus-15.9 this season at Pro Football Focus. Oakland will probably allow him to explore free agency in the offseason and prepare rookie Jon Feliciano for action in 2016.

The decision to replace Webb and Penn would change 40 percent of the same offensive line that allowed a mere 19 sacks on Carr, which prompted the charitable quarterback to purchase the entire offensive line 55-inch flatscreen TVs, per Raiders.com writer Eddie Paskal: 

Aside from a few rough patches, the Raiders have done a good job against edge-rushers.

Penn still stands as a solid starter for another 16-32 games in a Raiders uniform. He’s only allowed 14 quarterback hurries and four quarterback hits in 13 games but needs to focus on cutting down on correctable emotional penalties.

At the first sight of imperfection, knee-jerk reactors would search for Penn's replacement.

General manager Reggie McKenzie must survey the available prospects to find an upgrade or a promising talent to fill the void. The method of swapping players for the sake of moving parts hurts the continuity within a solid offensive line.

Draft Priorities 

Tony Avelar/Associated Press

Penn provides a solid two-year bridge, until offensive line coach Mike Tice grooms the next talented offensive tackle to carry the torch.

If Penn’s replacement can match his top-15 positional production, then it’s a solid upgrade. 

Oakland could also use a first-round pick on a potential top-tier prospect such as Laremy Tunsil (Mississippi) or Ronnie Stanley (Notre Dame) to replace Penn, but the team faces considerable consequences with this approach. 

Using a first-round pick on Tunsil or Stanley essentially forfeits upgrading much needier positions with exceptional prospects, specifically defensive backs and linebackers: 

Player	School	Position
Jalen Ramsey	Florida State	CB
Vernon Hargreaves III	Florida	CB
Mackensie Alexander	Clemson	CB
Reggie Ragland	Alabama	LB
Myles Jack	UCLA	LB
Jaylon Smith	Notre Dame	LB

The Raiders will head into the draft with pressing needs, and offensive tackle doesn’t reach the top of the priority list.

McKenzie could opt to draft a tackle with a mid-round pick and treat that player similar to Feliciano, who looks like a no-show in his rookie year.

In two years under Tice’s tutelage and with Penn’s veteran knowledge, that mid-round pick could develop into a solid starter.

Verdict on Penn 

Penn openly expressed interest in returning to the Raiders, per ESPN.com's Bill Williamson.

"I want to retire a Raider, I think I’ve made that pretty clear,” Penn sad. “But I’m just focused on Denver [where the Raiders played on Sunday] and then the rest of the season. I want to finish strong and get some momentum going for next year.”

At 32, he’s worth another short-term deal with front-loaded guarantees in the first year.

If Penn declines in a free fall after an extension, a front-loaded contract would allow the Raiders to part ways without a heavy cap hit in the second year. Menelik Watson and a mid-round draft pick would compete to take over at the position.

Nonetheless, based on Penn’s overall production, he’s still a couple of seasons away from becoming a liability.

McKenzie has the cap space to lock up a top-15 player at his respective position. Oakland should consider maintaining the offensive nucleus that’s propelled its passing attack to league relevancy.

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All statistics are provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com, Pro Football Focus and Team Rankings unless otherwise noted.