Las Vegas Raiders: Dylan Parham must go from good to great in Year 2
By Brad Weiss
The Las Vegas Raiders continue to have their issues along the offensive line, and in 2023, Dylan Parham needs to take a big step forward.
Last offseason, the Las Vegas Raiders traded their first and second-round picks to the Green Bay Packers for star wide receiver, Davante Adams. With that trade, that meant new general manager David Ziegler would not make his first pick until Day 2, and with that selection, he added Memphis interior offensive lineman, Dylan Parham.
As most rookies do, Parham struggled at times but showed enough to the organization to make them feel he is a part of the long-term solution up front along the offensive line. He had a solid rookie season, but in order for the Raiders, and this offense to take the next step forward in 2023, he must go from good, to great.
We saw it a few years back with left tackle Kolton Miller, who struggled in a big way as a rookie, but then bounced back in 2019 and became one of the best young players at his position. Las Vegas needs Parham to make the same kind of jump, as he is one of the few players the team can count on to be an anchor along the offensive line for years to come.
Raiders must continue to bolster the offensive line
Earlier this week, we put together a piece on Day 2 offensive linemen that could be available to the Raiders in the second or third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. David Ziegler and his staff have to use at least one of their first three picks on the offensive line if they hope to take the kind of step forward needed for this offense to thrive next season.
Remember, there is still the Josh Jacobs situation to take care of, but for the most part, this offense has the weapons to be very dangerous next season. Quarterback is a big question mark as well, but you have to think that whoever is under center next season should be able to be very productive throwing to the likes of Hunter Renfrow, Darren Waller, and especially, Adams.
Protecting whoever takes over for Derek Carr has to be priority No. 1, as the AFC West is primed to be one of the best divisions in football once again in 2023. Parham is key to the success of this offense in 2023, and in the future, as he has the talent to round into one of the better interior offensive linemen in the AFC West.