Next season, the starting right tackle position for the Las Vegas Raiders seems destined for Thayer Munford Jr. As he heads into his second NFL season, Munford faced competition for the spot during last year’s training camp.
During the previous training camp, Munford engaged in a battle with former Raiders offensive tackle Jermaine Eluemunor for the starting position. Eluemunor had initially secured the spot early in the season. However, both linemen ended up starting together later in the season when Kolton Miller, the team captain, was sidelined due to a shoulder injury, causing him to miss four games and have limited playing time in Weeks 16 and 17. 
Munford’s performance proved crucial for the team when he filled in for Miller, contributing to significant victories, such as the impressive 63-point win against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 15.
With Eluemunor now playing for the New York Giants, the starting right tackle position is wide open for Munford as he approaches his third NFL season.
If Munford maintains his previous level of performance during this offseason, the position should rightfully be his. However, this might also depend on whether the Raiders select an offensive tackle in the upcoming draft. Nonetheless, Munford’s experience as a starter makes him a compelling choice.
Pro Football Focus awarded Munford an overall grade of 74.1 for his performance in the 2023 season, with an impressive 80.4 grade in run-blocking. He appeared in 15 games, starting in 10.
Munford has established himself as a valuable asset to the Raiders’ offensive line, with his experience of playing all 17 games in his rookie season significantly aiding his development. The previous season is expected to further contribute to his growth.
Munford’s presence can bring the much-needed consistency to the Raiders’ offensive line, which experienced frequent lineup changes due to injuries last season.
The re-signing of center Andre James also bolsters the offensive line’s stability, as James has been the team’s starting center for the past three seasons.
Although the starting right tackle position won’t be handed to Munford, if he demonstrates during training camp that his experience over the past two years has translated into improvement, he should rightfully claim the spot when the season kicks off.
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