The Las Vegas Raiders entered the offseason with a big question mark at right tackle. Thayer Munford has been seen as the favorite for that spot, and that notion has only grown stronger after the Raiders didn't sign a right tackle or use an early pick on one.
Of course, the Raiders did draft Maryland tackle DJ Glaze in the third round of the draft, but by all accounts, he's going to need some time to develop. Las Vegas did sign veteran Andrus Peat, but the plan is for him to work at guard and back up Kolton Miller, Antonio Pierce previously revealed.
While the story on Munford being a starting right tackle won't be written until the 2024 regular season, assuming he wins the job, there is good news coming out about him from organized team activities.
According to Levi Edwards of Raiders.com, Munford was a stand out at the most recent open practice, which took place on Wednesday.
There are a lot of questions surrounding who will take over at right tackle, and Thayer Munford Jr. is making a strong case for himself. He had an exceptional day of practice in team period and individual drills, and a potential leap in Year 3 could be on the horizon.
A former seventh-round pick, Munford has seen action in 32 games over two years, and 14 of those games have seen him start.
In 2023, Munford got into 15 games (10 starts), splitting time between right and left tackle, where he struggled in pass protection. The Ohio State product gave up four sacks and 28 pressures in 303 pass-block snaps. He did, however, post an impressive run-block grade of 80.4, per Pro Football Focus.
All four sacks and 17 of those pressures came on the right side. When he played left tackle, Munford didn't allow a sack but did give up 11 pressures. In all, he played 263 snaps at right tackle and 208 snaps at left last season.
The hope is that Munford can take a big step forward in 2024 and secure the spot for the next few years, at least. The 24-year-old believes he has the potential to do just that.
"Night and day difference from my first year, my second year, to now," he said at the first open practice last week. "Now, I'm like, 'Alright, I know I can play, I know I can go against one of the best.' Especially with Maxx [Crosby] and anybody else that we're going to play this year. ... [A]ll I have to do now is actually meet my potential and actually do it and help everybody else out on the team as well."
Munford is going to be tested plenty in practice over the next few months, as the Raiders sport a pair of talented edge rushers to challenge him — and that will only help to better prepare him for what he's going to face in 2024.
