Alex Leatherwood has not been on a game field much since his time with the Raiders ended after one season. He spent last season on the Browns’ practice squad.

Cleveland did not keep Leatherwood, but he will have another chance with the Chargers as they bring him in, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter. Leatherwood last played as a Bears backup during the 2022 season.

The Raiders had a rough stretch in the Jon Gruden-Mike Mayock drafts with their five first-round picks. Only one player, Josh Jacobs, has been a regular starter. Henry Ruggs and Damon Arnette are no longer in the league, and Johnathan Abram has been a backup. Clelin Ferrell found stability as a starter with the 49ers in 2023 on a low-cost deal. The Saints and Commanders signed Abram and Ferrell to one-year deals this offseason. Leatherwood was the quickest of the Raiders’ first-round picks to leave the team.

Criticized for being a reach pick when the Raiders selected him 17th overall in 2021, Leatherwood played as a starting guard during the playoff run. He struggled, however, and was viewed as the worst offensive line regular in the league by Pro Football Focus. The coaching staff moved him back to tackle in the 2022 offseason and tried to trade him, but they ultimately waived him. The Bears took on his contract, but his opportunity was stalled due to mononucleosis. Leatherwood played a minimal role for the Bears in 2022 and didn’t make the roster last year.

It will be interesting to see if Leatherwood benefits from learning under O-line coach Bill Callahan in Cleveland as he enters his age-25 season. The Chargers have hired Mike Devlin as their O-line coach to continue Leatherwood’s development.

The Chargers have depth at tackle with Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater and are exploring moving Trey Pipkins to guard. Zion Johnson is the other starting guard, with Jamaree Salyer and others as backup options. Leatherwood is likely to be a backup candidate along with other players.