
ALAMEDA -- Raiders guard Jon Feliciano’s NFL career started slower than he would’ve liked. The rookie fourth-round pick got buried on the depth chart during camp, spent most of the year inactive as a third-string center and backup guard.
The team has been encouraged by his recent progress, and are expected to reward it with an NFL start. It will be Feliciano’s first, brought about by a knee injury taking Austin Howard out of Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers.
The Raiders are expected to slide regular right guard J’Marcus Webb to right tackle and elevate Feliciano into his spot. Offensive line coach Mike Tice could’ve left the group alone and swapped Khalif Barnes for Howard, but the shuffle suggests the Raiders want to see what Feliciano’s got.
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Feliciano’s believes he’s ready for the next step -- though the Raiders haven't confirmed Feliciano’s expected start -- after nearly a full-season’s prep with little play.
“It was difficult to sit and watch for a long time,” Feliciano said after Friday’s practice. “That wasn’t something I was used to but, being sit back and learn from the veterans and how they go about their business really helped me grow as a player. As a young guy coming into a whole new environment, you have to learn how to do what Coach Tice is demanding of you. Having all those weeks of practicing and getting better really helped me out.”
Feliciano was drafted out of Miami at a position of need, with the hope he could step right in and play. Not everyone adjusts as well as left guard Gabe Jackson, who went from third-round pick to top-flight starter in a snap.
The learning curve was longer, though the Raiders have fared well with Webb on the inside. Feliciano kept on trucking and tried to improve steadily away from the spotlight.
NFL
His progress was slow at first, but has picked up some lately. He attributes that to those around him.
“I’ve been blessed having one of the best coaches in the business,” Feliciano said, “and a group of guys who are really supportive and make you feel like family.”
The Raiders have received quality contributions from receiver Amari Cooper (first round), defensive lineman Mario Edwards Jr. (second round), tight end Clive Walford (third round) and fifth-round linebackers Ben Heeney and Neiron Ball. Feliciano was the outlier. If he can string good play together, that would round out another quality draft class.