Going into training camp, it appeared that veteran Jermaine Eluemunor was the locked-in starter at right tackle. He took over that job in 2022 and did an excellent job of protecting Derek Carr’s right side.
However, a new challenger has emerged for the right tackle job and it’s former seventh-round pick Thayer Munford, who has had an incredible training camp. Munford saw some playing time at guard and tackle last year, but he’s made a big leap in Year 2 and seems poised to win a starting job this season.
In a recent article by Vic Tafur of The Athletic, he wrote about some of the biggest winners and losers from Week 2 of the preseason. That list included Munford, who might be close to winning that starting right tackle job. Here is what he had to say about the former Ohio State star:
Munford came off the bench against the 49ers but started at right tackle against the Rams. He was right on par with Eluemunor in terms of performance. There’s just not much separating the two right now, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see the right tackle competition carry over into the start of the regular season.
According to Pro Football Focus, Munford has yet to allow a single pressure in the preseason on 39 pass-blocking snaps. And as good as he’s been as a pass blocker (PFF grade of 66.3), he’s graded out even higher as a run blocker (78.9).
At the very worst, Munford has won the swing tackle job. But it only feels like a matter of time before he ends up being the team’s starting right tackle. That would allow the Raiders to move Eluemunor back inside to guard and would get the team’s five best offensive linemen on the field at one time.
We still have three weeks before the 2023 season officially kicks off, but don’t be surprised if it’s Munford who opens the season as the starting right tackle of the Las Vegas Raiders.
