Despite the Las Vegas Raiders not having a first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, they still acquired first-round talent. Sports Info Solutions (SIS) has deemed guard Dylan Parham as a member of their All-Rookie second-team offense.
🚨 All – SIS Rookie Team 🚨
2nd Team Offense
QB – Kenny Pickett
RB – Dameon Pierce
RB – Breece Hall
WR – Drake London
WR – Christian Watson
TE – Greg Dulcich
OT – Charles Cross
OT – Jamaree Salyer
OG – Dylan Parham
OG – Cole Strange
C – Luke Fortnerhttps://t.co/LFfaLq4zYN pic.twitter.com/BgtZCAZViC— SIS_Football (@football_sis) January 12, 2023
It is an award stating that Parham was among the best first-year offensive linemen in the NFL this season. The third-round pick from Memphis University was immediately thrown into the Raiders’ offensive line carousel in 2022. However, he entered the NFL with the right attitude by showing a willingness to play anywhere along the offensive front. This would serve him well as the rookie provided stability and versatility for a unit with its fair share of struggles as the year went along.
Raiders Baptized Dylan Parham by Fire Early
In Week 1, Dylan Parham started at right guard against the L.A. Chargers’ vaunted defensive front. According to Pro Football Focus, he performed well despite the opening week loss and was one of the team’s top-graded performers.Â
Highest graded Raiders in Week 1 vs the Chargers:
🥇 Maxx Crosby – 92.9
🥈 Davante Adams – 88.3
🥉 Nate Hobbs – 83.8
4ï¸âƒ£ Dylan Parham – 82.3
5ï¸âƒ£ Andrew Billings – 78.0 pic.twitter.com/XhDxocd6kb
— PFF Las Vegas Raiders (@PFF_Raiders) September 16, 2022
More specifically, Parham allowed zero pressures in the contest. In the next two games, he moved to center (his more natural position) in Andre James’ absence due to injury. In this timeframe, the rookie showcased his athletic ability and play strength in space in the run and screen game.
Rookie C/G Dylan Parham is giving the Raiders the physicality they've lacked since their OL exodus pic.twitter.com/H9t6lPeaDD
— Ted Nguyen (@FB_FilmAnalysis) September 22, 2022
From Week 4 on, he settled in as the permanent left guard for head coach Josh McDaniels for the remainder of the season.
There is Still Room for Improvement
Despite winning this honor, the former Memphis Tigercat has plenty of avenues to hone his craft. It is not easy learning every position as a rookie, and as a result, he did allow an eye-popping amount of quarterback pressures. However, with an entire NFL offseason ahead of him, it will offer him ample time to bulk up and for the coaching staff to hone in on which position is best for the former 2022 third-round draft pick. Dylan Parham’s potential is tangible, and the Raiders could have a star offensive lineman in the making.
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*Top Photo by the Associated Press
