How adding Cody Whitehair could impact Raiders’ 2024 NFL Draft strategy

Some thoughts on how the free-agent addition could impact Las Vegas’ approach to the draft

While veteran interior offensive lineman Cody Whitehair reportedly signed a cheap one-year contract with the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency, it is an interesting move since Whitehair has eight years of starting experience and the Raiders need a starting right guard. Also, the timing of the deal is noteworthy.

The Chicago Bears released the 31-year-old (who turns 32 in July) back in February, meaning Las Vegas had two months to sign him. However, the club opted to bring him in a little more than a week before the NFL Draft instead of waiting until after and seeing if the need for a starter in the trenches persists.

So, how can the addition of Whitehair impact the Raiders’ draft strategy?

First Round

Don’t get it twisted, the former Bear isn’t good enough to completely remove selecting a starting right tackle like JC Latham, Taliese Fuaga or someone else completely off the table. But it does reduce the urgency of finding a starter at the position.

Right now, the Raiders could have a solid and well-experienced offensive line with Kolton Miller and Dylan Parham on the left side, Andre James at center, and Whitehair and Thayer Munford Jr. on the right. Those five combine for 305 career starts with Munford, who is heading into his third season as a pro, serving as the least-experienced lineman.

That’s not a bad situation for a rookie quarterback to step into.

The Raiders are widely expected to target a quarterback in the draft, it’s just a matter of who and when, and this move could be an indication that they’ll take one with the 13th overall pick.

While some hope that the Silver and Black spend its first selection on a right tackle and either trade back into the first round or wait until the second to draft either Michael Penix Jr. or Bo Nix, that’s a big gamble. Another team could swoop in and take either of those two off the board, leaving Las Vegas empty-handed at the most important position on the field.

Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images

But signing Whitehair gives the team a decent offensive line and makes it easier to justify using the top pick on a quarterback since the team’s need in the trenches is lessened. Especially since the concern of a rookie playing behind a bad line is eased as well.

Also, even if the Raiders don’t target a signal-caller in round one, the draft board is more open after Monday’s signing.

There is a chance that the offensive line prospects Tom Telesco likes are gone by the time the teens come up on draft night, and Telesco pivots toward addressing another need like cornerback. Again, in that situation, the Raiders still have a serviceable line and get to improve another position group.

Ultimately, signing the veteran guard keeps the Silver and Black from potentially pigeonholing themselves into drafting a right tackle in the first round.

Day 2

Previously, the Raiders were going to have to take a plug-and-play or immediate starter on the offensive line during the second day of the draft, especially if the team’s first-round pick is a quarterback. That would have meant sacrificing potential for a proven commodity or drafting a player with a lower ceiling because he can play right away.

But, as mentioned above, the need for a rookie first-stringer isn’t as significant with Whitehair now in the fold. Instead, the front office can take a gamble on someone who has excellent traits but needs technical refinement. Especially since said player wouldn’t get immediately thrown into the fire and will have a year to improve, that could mean Las Vegas gets a better player in the long run.

Offensive linemen like BYU’s Kingsley Suamataia, Patrick Paul out of Houston or Roger Rosengarten from Washington are a few that come to mind who fall into that category. Those three, and others, could be much more appealing knowing that they won’t necessarily need to play right away.

Additionally, just like in the first round, the board opens up to other positions on Day 2 of the draft now that the Raiders have another veteran option to fill the team’s need for a starter up front.