The Las Vegas Raiders did little to improve right tackle this offseason. They lost Jermaine Eluemunor to the New York Giants in free agency, and Thayer Munford appears to have the best chance of making the starting roster.
He was Pro Football Focus’ 25th-highest graded offensive tackle last season, so he has shown promise. However, he was unable to retain the starting job last season, and the Raiders may be unsure that he will be an efficient starter. If that’s the case, Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox feels that Cleveland Browns offensive lineman Jack Conklin could be a trade candidate. “The Raiders could have interest in Conklin, depending on how they view 2022 seventh-round pick Thayer Munford Jr. internally,” Knox stated in a July 18 piece. “Munford allowed four sacks in 521 snaps last season, according to Pro Football Focus. Conklin has allowed four sacks since the start of the 2021 season, according to PFF. Knox has Conlkin’s value as a 2025 fourth-round choice and a 2026 sixth-round selection. That would be a tiny price to pay for an offensive lineman who has been chosen First-Team All-Pro twice and is still only 29. One difficulty is that he is still on the Browns’ four-year, $60 million contract, which he signed in 2022. That’s a lot of money to take on.
Another issue is that Conklin tore his ACL and MCL last season. He suffered the injury in Week 1, so he’s got plenty of time to recover, but it’s fair to wonder if he’ll be the same player when he returns. The Jack Conklin trade could make sense.
Munford has the potential to develop into a very fine right tackle for the Raiders, but he hasn’t demonstrated enough to justify that expectation. Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell aren’t very elusive quarterbacks, so the team’s pass protection will be critical.
Conklin, a former top-10 pick, has been one of the best offensive lineman in the NFL for many years. The Raiders have had a difficult time finding a right tackle, so rather than taking a chance on a rookie player again, the organization might acquire someone proven, such as Conklin. While his contract is somewhat worrying, it is a bargain if he returns to All-Pro form. Right tackles are starting to earn $20 million or more per year, whereas Conklin’s current contract, which runs until 2026, pays him only $15 million per year.
The Las Vegas Raiders still have salary cap space.
The Raiders have put themselves in a strong position to make a deal before the season, if they so desire. The team still has $34.
Spotrac reports that there is million in salary cap space available. They look to want to maintain some flexibility for in-season changes, but they still have a lot of money to work with.
Perhaps general manager Tom Telesco is waiting until training camp to gain a better idea of the roster. This is his first year in the role, so he’s probably still learning the players. Munford will be an important player to keep an eye on. If a potential improvement like Conklin becomes available, Telesco will have to explore it, especially given the money he has to play with. He clearly prioritizes the offensive line, having spent first-round picks on offensive linemen in two of his last three rounds with the Los Angeles Chargers.
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