Dylan Parham’s 2024 Breakout: Raiders’ Underrated Offensive Line Star Shines Brigh

Dylan Parham’s Rise: The Raiders’ Quiet Offensive Line Star Breaking Out in 2024

When you think about the Las Vegas Raiders’ offensive line, flashy headlines and big names don’t always come immediately to mind. But one guy quietly carving out a serious name for himself? Dylan Parham. The 2024 season turned into a breakthrough campaign for the Raiders’ versatile lineman, as he stepped up his game in a way that not only helped his team but also got the attention of experts around the league.

A Shift in Position That Changed Everything

Parham’s journey to becoming one of the more underrated offensive linemen in the NFL is a story of adaptability and growth. Over his first two seasons — 2022 and 2023 — Parham split time primarily at left guard and center. He wasn’t exactly lighting up the stat sheets or making highlight reels. But the Raiders made a bold decision this past year: move him to right guard full-time. This switch proved to be a game changer.

Why? Because Parham’s skill set truly clicked on the right side of the line. It was as if the move unlocked a new level in his playbook. His blocking, his awareness, his footwork — everything seemed to come together. It’s no small feat to shift positions and immediately produce better results, especially on the offensive line where timing and chemistry are so crucial.

Pro Football Focus Notice: Career-High Grades

Numbers rarely lie in football, especially when it comes to evaluating offensive linemen. And for Parham, the numbers told a great story in 2024. Pro Football Focus (PFF), the respected football analytics site, gave him his career-best overall offensive grade of 74.3. To put that into context, offensive linemen are graded on a scale where anything above 70 signals a solid performance. Breaking 74 is a sign of a player who’s consistently impacting games positively.

PFF didn’t just stop at the grades. They spotlighted Parham in their recent article about the “10 Most Underrated Offensive Linemen in the League.” That kind of recognition is no small deal because the NFL is packed with talented blockers who often fly under the radar.

As PFF writer Zoltán Buday put it: “The Memphis product has been a mainstay on Las Vegas’ offensive line early in his career, with his 2,960 snaps over the past three seasons ranking 18th among guards.” That’s a ton of playing time, which speaks volumes about the Raiders’ trust in Parham’s durability and consistency.

Turning the Run Game Around

One of the most exciting aspects of Parham’s 2024 season was his marked improvement in run blocking. Early in his career, his run-blocking grades weren’t as impressive — in fact, he had more negative grades than positive on running plays during his first two years. That’s the kind of thing that can hold a lineman back from becoming a true difference-maker.

But this past season, he flipped the script. His rate of negatively graded plays dropped from 14.9% to 12.7%, while the rate of positively graded plays rose from 13.2% to an encouraging 15.8%. What that means is he was consistently getting better at creating running lanes and sustaining blocks to help his running backs thrive.

The result? Parham earned a 75.6 PFF run-blocking grade in 2024 — ranking 13th among all guards in the NFL. For an offensive lineman, that’s a big deal. The run game is foundational to a team’s offensive success, and having a guard who can win his matchups often dictates whether the offense can sustain drives or not.

Overall Impact and League Ranking

All in all, Parham finished with a 74.3 overall PFF grade, which ranked him 17th among guards league-wide. This kind of ranking puts him comfortably in the upper tier of NFL guards, especially considering the depth and talent spread across teams.

What’s impressive is that Parham wasn’t an early-round draft pick or a highly-touted prospect coming out of college. He’s the kind of player who’s quietly worked hard, learned the ropes, and made steady progress until suddenly he was a name people took seriously.

Training Camp Twist: Back to Left Guard?

Here’s where things get a little interesting for the 2025 season. Reports from training camp show Parham lining up again at left guard — the position he played in his early career before moving to right guard last season.

Moe Moton, a trusted football analyst, noted that Parham’s reps at left guard in camp raise some eyebrows. Why? Because coming off a breakout year thriving at right guard, switching back could be risky. Changing sides on the offensive line often means adjusting footwork, angles, and even mental approach. It’s not as simple as just swapping spots.

The Raiders must be weighing their options carefully. Maybe they see Parham’s versatility as a strength — someone who can start at multiple guard spots — or perhaps they’re trying to plug a hole elsewhere. Whatever the case, Parham’s adaptability continues to be one of his defining traits.

Why Parham Is One of the Most Underrated Linemen

Let’s be honest — offensive linemen don’t always get the glory they deserve. They’re the unsung heroes who grind in the trenches, protect quarterbacks, and open holes for running backs. Dylan Parham fits right into that mold, but his rise shows how underrated players can become essential cogs in a team’s success.

• Durability and Snap Count: Nearly 3,000 snaps in just three seasons is impressive. It shows Parham’s ability to stay healthy and trusted by coaches.

• Versatility: Starting at center, left guard, and right guard proves he’s a flexible, intelligent player who can fill different roles.

• Progression: His upward trajectory, especially in run blocking, indicates he’s not just coasting but actively improving.

• Recognition: Making PFF’s underrated linemen list is proof the league is taking note.

What’s Next for Parham and the Raiders?

If Parham keeps building on his 2024 momentum, the Raiders will have a solid foundation on their offensive line. With the offensive line often seen as the backbone of any offense, having a player like Parham rise quietly and consistently helps set the tone for the entire unit.

His potential move back to left guard might be a challenge, but it could also showcase just how valuable he is across the front. The coming season will be a great chance to see if Parham can maintain his high level of play while adapting to another position shift.

One thing’s for sure: Dylan Parham isn’t just a name you should keep an eye on — he’s becoming a genuine building block for Las Vegas.