Raiders offensive tackle can entrench himself as the best option to start on the right side
Now is an opportune time for Thayer Munford Jr. to entrench himself as the right tackle for the Las Vegas Raiders.
As the team ramps up competition and the fight for starting roles and roster spots intensifies during training camp, Munford has a big-time opportunity to win full-time starting role. After serving as a versatile swing tackle in his first two years in the league, the seventh-round pick (238th overall) in the 2022 NFL Draft, can exponentially multiply Las Vegas’ return on investment by winning the right tackle job.
At 6-foot-6 and 315 pounds, the Ohio State product brings the requisite size and experience into the fray as the Raiders prep for the 2024 season. That makes him a strong candidate to lay claim as the starter on the right side of the Silver & Black offensive line. Playing in 15 games last season with 10 total starts (five at right tackle, four at left tackle, and one as a tight end), Munford earned a solid Pro Football Focus run block grade of 80.4 and an overall grade of 74.1. And in one key metric, the 24-year-old tackle (25 on September 18) charted for only one penalty in 2023, according to Pro Football Reference — a holding penalty.
Munford’s performance and potential makes the departure of tackle/guard Jermaine Eluemunor (signed with the New York Giants as an unrestricted free agent) less of a sting. And after splitting his snap count in 2023 nearly even at both left and right tackle (521 total snaps), the Ohio native is poised to play a pivotal role this coming season.
The play of Thayer Munford was one of the most encouraging parts of TNF. Munford has mainly played RT in the NFL but had to play LT because of Miller’s injury.
If he can develop into a legit starter at RT when Miller comes back, it just takes gives them one less position to… pic.twitter.com/ZIzo9j5Wx5
— Ted Nguyen (@FB_FilmAnalysis) December 16, 2023
Munford will have to earn the role, as it won’t just be handed to him. While he can play on the blindside and is comfortable doing so, this offseason has placed him firmly on the right side of the offensive line. His main competition comes from veteran Andrus Peat (who offers similar versatility to play either left or right tackle and even guard) and 2024 draft pick D.J. Glaze (77th overall pick).
Head coach Antonio Pierce and offensive line boss James Cregg haven’t taken it lightly on Munford throughout the offseason. The offensive tackle is constantly pitted against elite edge rusher Maxx Crosby bringing the iron sharpens iron vibes. Going up against a productive pass rusher like Crosby while tangling with Malcolm Koonce and Tyree Wilson as training camp progresses will help both offense and defense to improve — particularly Munford.
“Night and day difference from my first year, my second year, to now,” Munford said earlier this offseason on Year 3. “Now, I’m like, ‘Alright, I know I can play, I know I can go against one of the best, especially with Maxx and anybody else that we’re going to play this year.’ And I know what I can do, so all I have to do now is actually meet my potential and actually do it and help everybody else out on the team as well.”
As more NFL teams deploy dual pass rush threats from the left and right side, Munford improving and holding it down as a pass protector while maintaining the high-level effort as a run blocker is a must.
Raiders RT Thayer Munford in for a tough camp. pic.twitter.com/isOK5HiT61
— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) July 24, 2024
As a late-round flier type selection to potential late-round gem, the Raiders are counting on the offensive tackle to realize his potential, expectations have certainly increased for Munford.
Shuffling The Deck
Peat got work at left tackle with stalwart starter Kolton Miller missing time earlier in the offseason and is likely slated to get even more snaps on the blindside with Miller landing on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list along with rookie guard Jackson Powers-Johnson.
While Munford has focused on the right side, he’s always open to going where the Raiders need him most and if that means left tackle, he’ll do it.
“A little bit, but there is a new system that we have, and I’ve been in my mindset mostly on the right, but also have my mindset on the left too just in case something does happen to like Kolton or Peat of course. But I’m always going to be ready for the left no matter what,” Munford noted back in May.
Glaze, on the other hand, has a shot at becoming the valuable swing tackle. If Munford does earn the full-time role and Peat in Miller’s stead until the starting left tackle returns to practice, Glaze can claim the key backup role and potentially get snaps at both tackle spots and at jumbo tight end, much like Munford.