Of the numerous groups doubtlessly in search of a quarterback within the 2024 NFL Draft, the Las Vegas Raiders are considered one of them.
Nonetheless, with second-year QB Aidan O’Connell already on the roster and signing veteran Gardner Minshew, the Raiders don’t should take a signal-caller with the thirteenth total choose.
After beginning 13 video games for the Indianapolis Colts in 2023, it could make sense if the Raiders leaned on Minshew’s expertise subsequent season, however O’Connell has 10 video games of beginning expertise underneath Antonio Pierce, who gave the 2023 fourth-round choose a ringing endorsement over the weekend in an interview with NFL Community.
“On the finish of the day, pay attention, Aidan O’Connell performed his [expletive] off,” Pierce stated, by way of NFL.com. “He did a hell of a job for us. You are speaking a couple of child that has the psychological toughness to play within the Nationwide Soccer League. No matter occurs and no matter we do, it has to undergo Aidan O’Connell. [I’m] being trustworthy with you, as a result of he is earned that proper.”
O’Connell, 25, went 5-5 because the Raiders starter after Jimmy Garoppolo went down with an harm. He accomplished 62.1% of his passes for two,218 yards, 12 touchdowns and 7 interceptions with an 83.9 passer score.
He ranked second amongst rookie QBs in touchdowns and passing yards per sport (201.6) behind Houston’s C.J. Stroud (23, 273.9) and third in passing yards behind Stroud (4,108) and Carolina’s Bryce Younger (2,877).
Whereas he confirmed indicators of enchancment the extra he performed, some nonetheless have doubts about whether or not or not O’Connell is a legit beginning NFL quarterback, which is why a number of draft gurus imagine the Raiders may goal a QB with the No. 13 total choose in subsequent month’s draft.
Whereas USC’s Caleb Williams, LSU’s Jayden Daniels, North Carolina’s Drake Maye and Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy are all anticipated to be off the board by the point the Raiders are on the clock, Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. and Oregon’s Bo Nix may very well be potential choices for them.
