Thayer Munford Jr. Preparing Like a Starter

Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Thayer Munford Jr. is heading into his second season with the Silver and Black.

Munford was a seventh-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, and played just under 370 snaps during his rookie season.

Going into year two, Munford has been preparing like he is going to be the starting right tackle for the Raiders, a position that has healthy competition. Last season, Jermaine Eluemunor held down the starting spot, but Munford and a healthy Brandon Parker are vying for starter snaps as well.

Munford addressed the media at training camp and spoke about his preparation, hoping to be the starter in 2023.

“Yeah, I think I am,” he said. “But also at the same time, it also comes down to the competition that we got in the room. Like I can be my best, Jermaine [Eluemunor], Brandon Parker, we can be at our best but also at the same time, we are all here to compete. We all want to get the starting job, but also at the same time, we know what’s ahead. We all need to compete and stay focused.”

When asked if he was preparing as if he was the starter during the offseason, Munford confirmed that was indeed what he was doing.

“Yeah, of course,” he said. “Nobody is going to come in here thinking that they’re about to have the position off rip, but at the same time we have talented tackles in the room, and we know what’s going on, and we know how the business side goes. So, we’re going to compete every day.”

The right tackle battle will be one of the more notable position battles for the Raiders to follow this offseason. Eluemunor held down the starting position last season, but before that, Parker played starting snaps in 2021. Even after an impressive season from Eluemunor, the position is still up for grabs.

Munford understands that it is a competition, and that nothing will be given, but he is preparing for the competition with confidence that he will be the starter at right tackle. The reps he gets in training camp and preseason will be crucial for his development, as well as his chances of being the starting right tackle.

The Silver and Black open the preseason by hosting the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Aug. 13, at 4 p.m. EDT/1 p.m. PDT.

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