Dylan Parham has only known losing since his NFL journey began.

The Las Vegas Raiders’ 2022 third-round selection has yet to be on a team that finished with a winning record. Joining the New York Jets may have some people thinking Parham’s unlucky streak won’t end any time soon.

So, why did Parham sign with the Jets in the first place? In a league filled with holes along the offensive line, what made Parham join with a team that was just percentage points better than his Raiders?

Parham recently explained his decision and why the perception of the Jets, especially along their offensive line, differs from what fans may think.

Parham joins the Jets’ line

Unlike his former squad, the Jets have done a good job of adding offensive line talent across the board. Former 11th overall pick Olu Fashanu has stabilized the left tackle spot, while last year’s seventh-overall pick Armand Membou lit up the competition at right tackle.

Add in a quality year from Joe Tippmann at right guard, and the Jets’ offensive line is one of the few position groups with a stable force of talent to trust.

The quality of the Jets’ offensive line was a significant reason Parham chose to join the group.

“What place is the best fit?” Parham asked himself when making the call, per Randy Lange of the official Jets website. “What gives me the opportunity to have the best success for me and my family? And this place ended up popping up.”

Despite Las Vegas’ struggles as a collective group on the offensive line, Parham was an exception. Pro Football Focus graded him as the 38th-best guard in football with a 63.1 grade. It’s a grade that would be considered an upgrade over his predecessor, John Simpson, in 2025.

Like Simpson, though, Parham brings a different kind of style to the Jets’ offensive line.

“I bring physicality, athleticism, (and a) great mindset,” Parham said. “The experience that I have, I’ve played a lot of interior positions, center, and both guards. I’ll just bring the knowledge I have for the game.”

A familiar face at QB

Parham isn’t the only former Raider joining the Jets in 2026. Geno Smith, a second-round pick of Gang Green in 2013, was acquired at the start of the new league year to be the Jets’ starting quarterback.

New York fans know what they have in Smith. He started 30 games in 2013 and 2014.

However, the athlete (and leader) Smith is now much different than what Gang Green once saw, and the Jets’ new left guard is familiar with that idea.

“G’s a good dude, man,” is how Parham described Smith. “When he came in, we went to, I want to say, one of the [Golden Knights’] hockey games. Just seeing him there, seeing the gifts from last year, just the wisdom that he has, the way he spoke when he got in front of the team, how he commanded it — that’s what I’m looking forward to.”

Smith and Parham are both looking for better results with the Jets than they saw with the Silver and Black in 2025.

Dylan Parham, in particular, is hoping a change of fortunes for the New York Jets could finally bring about the kind of winning season he hasn’t yet experienced in the National Football League.