According to a report, the Raiders have inked a deal with an experienced offensive lineman in the NFL free agency.

According to a report from Adam Caplan of Pro Football Network, the Las Vegas Raiders have made moves to bolster their offensive line during NFL free agency by securing the services of Cody Whitehair, an experienced interior lineman. This acquisition is said to be part of the team’s strategy to fortify their offensive front. The agreement, reportedly spanning one year, is believed to involve a contract worth up to $3 million, with a substantial portion of $1.4 million guaranteed. This signing represents a significant addition to the Raiders’ roster as they prepare for the upcoming season.

As previously indicated, Cody Whitehair has predominantly played as an interior lineman throughout his illustrious eight-year career, all of which he has dedicated to the Chicago Bears since being selected by them in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Notably, his tenure with the Bears coincided with the time when Raiders offensive coordinator Luke Getsy held the same role in Chicago, suggesting a pre-existing familiarity and potentially facilitating a smooth integration into the Raiders’ offensive scheme.

While Whitehair has primarily manned the center position, he has seamlessly transitioned into a full-time left guard role over the past three seasons. This evolution in his positional deployment underscores his versatility and adaptability within different offensive line configurations.

In the current context of the Las Vegas Raiders, there exists a conspicuous void at right guard, assuming the team’s intention is to maintain Dylan Parham on the left side. Despite Whitehair’s limited exposure to right guard, with only 208 career snaps in that position, including 34 from the previous season and an additional 174 snaps in 2017, his demonstrated competence suggests a potential readiness to fill the vacancy if called upon.

In terms of performance metrics, Whitehair’s track record reveals a nuanced portrayal. While he undoubtedly boasts the pedigree of a former Pro Bowler, his recent statistics portray a mixed picture. Last season, he relinquished three sacks and 22 pressures over 787 total snaps, encompassing 454 pass-blocking instances. Notably, the bulk of his snaps (666) were executed at left guard, suggesting a degree of familiarity and proficiency in that particular position. Additionally, his Pro Football Focus run-blocking grade of 42.4 underscores areas for potential improvement in his run-blocking proficiency, indicating a facet of his game that may warrant further attention and refinement.