Who is the most underrated player on the Raiders’ roster?
The team has a few key players that don’t get enough national attention, but according to Sports Illustrated insider Hondo Carpenter, the Raiders’ most underrated player is on the interior of the offensive line.
Taking an early guess at the Raiders starting offense line on his Las Vegas Raiders Insider podcast, Hondo said he believes third-year guard Dylan Parham is one of the most underrated players in the entire league.
“They could keep nine. They could keep 10,” Hondo said of the Raiders’ offensive linemen that could make the final roster. “I think the starters are Kolton [Miller] and Dylan [Parham]. I think Dylan is the most underrated player on the team and probably one of the most underrated in the NFL. Andre James, Jackson Powers-Johnson, I expect him to start at right guard. I expect Thayer [Munford] at right tackle.”
The only real position battle along the Raiders offensive could come at right tackle with veteran Andrus Peat and third-round pick D.J. Glaze potentially entering the mix if Munford doesn’t seize the job in training camp.
There has been talk about which guard positions Parham and Powers-Johnson will play (right or left side), but the early intention seems to be Parham at left guard and Powers-Johnson at right guard.
For what it’s worth, another player along the Raiders offensive line that doesn’t tend to get the credit he deserves is center Andre James.
x: @raidersbeat
And that’s why I don’t put much stock in Hondo’s takes. Parham is a stud based on what? It’s not from the eye test. I’ll tell you that. I’ve watched all the games. I don’t think PFF is the end all be all, but they didn’t have Parham rated very highly last year either (57 run blocking and about 62 pass blocking fir an overall score around 60). So, maybe, someone can enlighten me as to why Parham is such a stud?