Former Alabama OL Gets NFL Shot

Former Alabama offensive lineman, Lester Cotton, after being waived prior to the 2020 season, is getting a chance with an NFL team again. The Las Vegas Raiders, after signing Cotton as an undrafted free agent in 2019, have resigned the third year guard to a future contract for the 2021 year.

A player signed to a future contract will be added when the roster expands from 53 to 90 during the offseason, meaning Cotton has a chance to make a final roster. Upon the beginning of the 2021 NFL business year, players signed to future contracts will be available to participate in training camp, OTAs, and workouts as members of the team.

Cotton, a Tuscaloosa, AL native, spent four years at Alabama, starting 28 games. In his 28 starts, Cotton played both guard spots for the Tide, helping guide Alabama to a top ranking in passing efficiency in 2018.

Cotton was a part of Alabama's 2018 national championship winning team, but was forced to miss the championship game due to an knee injury. More notably, Cotton was a part of Alabama's 2019 loss to Clemson in which the Tide gave up seven tackles for loss and two sacks.

Cotton went undrafted in the 2019 NFL Draft and was signed by the Las Vegas Raiders, spending 13 weeks on the practice squad and making one game appearance in 2019. The Raiders finished the 2020 season with the 24th ranked offensive line, according to PFF, meaning there could be change coming up front for Las Vegas. Starting right guard Richie Incognito missed most of last season, playing just 74 snaps, opening the door for a new face on the offensive line.

Whether or not Cotton will get his shot to play this year will have to be seen once training camp rolls around. With the Raiders offensive line struggling with injury, this could be his best chance to make a final roster.

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