Alex Leatherwood

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Chicago Bears have claimed former first-rounder T Alex Leatherwood off of the waiver wire from the Las Vegas Raiders.

Fantasy Impact

Leatherwood had a rough rookie season in Las Vegas, but Chicago is in desperate need of OL help for sophomore QB Justin Fields. Leatherwood provides a low-risk, high-reward play for the Bears who can capitalize on a former high draft pick without having to sink the capital for it. Whether or not it pans out, Chicago at least gets another dart to throw in providing Fields with help.

The Las Vegas Raiders waived OL Alex Leatherwood Tuesday.

Fantasy Impact

Leatherwood was the 17th overall pick in the 2021 draft. Because of the move, the Raiders will now have a $7.9 million dead cap hit. Despite not playing well last season, Leatherwood will likely get a chance with another team.

OT Alex Leatherwood, the 17th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, has officially signed his rookie deal with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Fantasy Impact

Leatherwood is yet another dominant, big-bodied tackle to get drafted out of the University of Alabama. The Raiders traded away former Pro-Bowl C Rodney Hudson to Arizona this offseason but Leatherwood's signing should help protect Derek Carr against edge rushers despite a lackluster interior offensive line. The 6'5", 312-pound tackle will also be pivotal in sealing run blocks to allow Josh Jacobs and Kenyan Drake to produce throughout the 2021 season.

The Las Vegas Raiders have selected OL Alex Leatherwood with the No. 17 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Fantasy Impact

Leatherwood wasn't necessarily expected to be taken in Round 1, but the Raiders are known to take their guys. Additionally, they wanted to continue bolstering their offensive line. Leatherwood has some positional versatility along the O-line, and he'll aim to boost Vegas' running game in 2021.