Las Vegas Raiders: Will Dylan Parham start as a rookie?

The Las Vegas Raiders did not pick until the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, but that selection could be a starter in Year 1.

During the 2022 NFL Draft, the Las Vegas Raiderssecond-rounde a first or second round pick, this after trading those selections away to the Green Bay Packers. In return for those picks, the Silver and Black brought in wide receiver Davante Adams, one of the best in the game at his position, and someone who could take this Raiders offense to the next level.

Las Vegas did not select until pick No. 90 overall, drafting Memphis offensive guard Dylan Parham. A tremendously talented canParham has the ability to play either guard or center at the next level, but do the Silver and Black need him to step in right away and start?

Last season, the Raiders were forced to throw Alex Leatherwood into the starting lineup at right tackle, and it was clear early on that he was not ready. Leatherwood played so bad that he eventually had to be kicked inside to offensive guard, so hopefully Year 2 is a bit kinder for the big fella from Alabama.

For Parham, the plan does not have to be him starting on Day 1, and in fact, the Raiders would be wise to let him ease into his NFL career. Sure, he may need to be in the starting lineup at some point during his rookie campaign, but there is enough veteran talent at the position group for him to start out on the bench.

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While the Raiders did not make huge changes to the offensive line, there are offensive guards they could start, including Denzelle Good, John Simpson, and Alex Bars. Lester Cotton Sr. is another player who has had a very good offseason, and this summer, he has a legitimate chance to make the Raiders’ Week 1 53-man roster.

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The good thing is that this year’s team has so much talent that the rookie class may not have to play a big role in Year 1. Parham is a guy who is going to get a long look this summer and could earn a starting job, but the necessity to throw him right into the fire is not there with the amount of capable offensive guards there are on the summer roster.