The Las Vegas Raiders have multiple question marks along their offensive line going into the 2024 season, with right tackle being one of them.
The Raiders appear to at least have a favorite for the job in third-year tackle Thayer Munford Jr., but the former seventh-round pick is anything but a certainty after giving up four sacks and 28 pressures in 303 pass-block snaps in 2023.
It's not crazy to think the Raiders could eventually look to improve the situation, either before or during the regular season, and Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox has an idea: the Raiders trade for Cleveland Browns right tackle Jack Conklin, who he thinks would fetch a 2025 fourth-round pick and a 2026 sixth-round pick.
The Raiders could have interest in Conklin, depending on how they view 2022 seventh-round pick Thayer Munford Jr. internally. Munford allowed four sacks across 521 snaps last season, according to Pro Football Focus. Conklin has allowed four sacks since the start of the 2021 season, per PFF.
At his best, Conklin is no doubt a better and more proven option than Munford Jr. However, there is certainly risk with Conklin, who has suffered multiple serious injuries during his career.
During the 2017 playoffs, Conklin tore the ACL in his left knee. He then suffered a torn patella tendon in 2021, and most recently a torn ACL and MCL in 2023, also coming in his left knee.
Adding to that, Conklin is in the second year of a four-year, $60 million deal. Granted, the Raiders wouldn't have to take on all of that, and they have the cap space to absorb whatever money they do take in, but adding any money to the books for a player with the injury history Conklin has is risky.
The chances of the Raiders making a big move at right tackle before the start of the season are slim, as they appear intent on giving Munford Jr. a crack at the job.
If things don't pan out with Munford during the season and Conklin shows he's healthy and becomes available, they absolutely should inquire and pull the trigger if the price is right.
