The 2024 NFL Draft is nearing, and what the Las Vegas Raiders will do with their first-round decide stays an absolute thriller. There have been rumors concerning the franchise shifting up within the draft to take a quarterback, or they may keep put at 13.
What path the Raiders would go if they continue to be at 13 can be fully unknown. There have been studies that the group was eyeing a cornerback or offensive lineman with their first-round decide. However the group has additionally been linked with College of Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr., somebody who isn’t anticipated to be chosen that prime within the draft.
However that will not matter as based on ESPN’s Matt Miller (subscription required) the Raiders are actually huge followers of Penix and will legitimately take him with their first-round decide:
One fixed I maintain listening to from individuals I belief is that the Raiders actually do like Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and will choose him at No. 13 general. That may qualify as a shock, even though Penix is a lovely thrower from the pocket and has the very best general arm power on this class. His medical historical past — 4 straight season-ending accidents whereas at Indiana — and his lack of mobility are issues sufficient that he’s ranked No. 40 on my board and is usually seen as a Day 2 prospect, however the buzz right here is beginning to warmth up connecting the Raiders to him in Spherical 1. Las Vegas signed Gardner Minshew, however this group was twenty sixth in QBR final season (40.1) and desires a long-term resolution.
As Miller famous, Penix’s damage historical past is a priority, however he was an absolute star for the Huskies over the previous two years. Final season he was the Heisman Trophy runner-up and received the Maxwell Award whereas main Washington to the School Soccer Playoff Nationwide Championship Recreation. Moreover, Penix ran a sub-4.6 40-yard sprint at his Professional Day simply to indicate that he does have the flexibility to maneuver however merely prefers to be a pocket passer.
The Raiders undoubtedly want one other quarterback and Antonio Pierce hasn’t been shy about talking on that. Penix may very well be the reply they’re on the lookout for, however the query will probably be whether or not he’s price thirteenth general. The group might all the time commerce again into the primary spherical afterward, but when the braintrust feels that’s the finest transfer at 13 then the Raiders might shock many and take who they consider is their subsequent franchise quarterback.
Aidan O’Connell wanting ahead to competing for Raiders beginning QB job
If the Raiders do take Penix, or some other quarterback within the draft for that matter, it will likely be a contest to search out out who will start the season because the group’s beginning quarterback. And the returning Aidan O’Connell is wanting ahead to it.
The second-year quarterback spoke on this just lately, saying that he wouldn’t need it some other method and that it’s his job to maintain the beginning job. The Raiders additionally added veteran Gardner Minshew II, but it surely was O’Connell who ended final yr atop the depth chart, and he plans on staying that method.
