Las Vegas Raiders mock draft 2024: Building the team and finding a QB

Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Las Vegas Raiders made a few splashes in NFL free agency that altered the team’s needs ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft. With Round 1 closing in and the focus shifting towards a final big board, our latest Raiders mock draft examines how this roster can be shaped.

Before diving into our Raiders mock draft, here are a few things you need to know from the team’s perspective.

Las Vegas Raiders draft picks 2024

Here are the Las Vegas Raiders picks ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft.

1st Round, 13th overall:
2nd Round, 44th overall:
3rd Round, 77th overall:
4th Round, 112th overall:

5th Round, 148th overall
6th Round, 208th overall
7th Round, 223rd overall
7th Round, 229th overall

Las Vegas Raiders team needs 2024

Here are the Las Vegas Raiders team needs right now.

Quarterback
Cornerback
Offensive Line

Running Back
Linebacker
Edge Rusher

Raiders mock draft 2024: Building the defense, finding a long-term QB

First Round, 13th overall: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo

Atop our list of the Raiders draft needs in 2024, with the context of where they are picking, is cornerback. A pass rush featuring Maxx Crosby, Christian Wilkins, Tyree Wilson and Malcolm Koonce should be excellent moving forward. However, this secondary is a major work in progress.

Quinyon Mitchell is the best cornerback in the 2024 NFL Draft. While he comes from a smaller school, meaning he didn’t play against premier talent, Mitchell more than demonstrated his skills in the pre-draft process. He was arguably the best player at the Senior Bowl and then recorded an outstanding 9.78 Relative Athletic Score, comparing very well athletically to Greg Newsome.

In pass coverage last season, per Pro Football Focus, Mitchell allowed the 10th-lowest reception rate (43.5 percent) among FBS cornerbacks and he only surrendered a 51.1 NFL quarterback rating when targeted. Mitchell has the size (6-foot), athleticism, instincts and movement skills to be a high-end No. 1 cornerback.

First Round, 30th overall*: Michael Penix Jr, QB, Washington

TRADE: Las Vegas Raiders trade 44th pick and 2025 3rd to Baltimore Ravens for 30th pick and 2025 5th

Quarterback is obviously one of the top Raiders draft needs in 2024. However, once the top three signal-callers are off the board, there isn’t another quarterback we’d advise Las Vegas to select with the 13th pick. Instead, general manager Tom Telesco should move up at the end of Round 1 for Michael Penix Jr.

There are some red flags with Michael Penix Jr. For one, there haven’t been a ton of high-end lefty quarterbacks in the NFL. Of far greater concern, however, Penix Jr. turns 24 in May and he’s torn his ACL twice with an extensive medical record that even extends past those injuries. However, he’d arguably be the second-best quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft class and we’ll bet on his tools over Las Vegas waiting another year.

Penix Jr. is more of a pocket passer than his peers in this class, but he can definitely launch it deep. He posted a 105.1 NFL QB rating last season on throws 20-plus yards downfield and his performance against Texas highlighted some of his strengths as a passer. He’s drawn a mixed bag of NFL comparisons, from Carson Palmer to Tua Tagovailoa. While a strong-armed and less mobile quarterback might not be ideal, Penix Jr. would provide a high floor and could beat out Gardner Minshew for the starting job.

Third Round, 77th overall: Blake Fisher, OT, Notre Dame

Las Vegas might be willing to give Thayer Munford Jr. another season, but the 24-year-old offensive tackle might not have a long leash. In 2023, the Raiders’ offensive tackle allowed 28 pressures and 4 sacks, earning a 59.2 pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus. At the very least, Las Vegas needs to find a viable backup plan behind him.

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Blake Fisher was overshadowed by Joe Alt at Notre Dame. Standing at 6-foot-6, he certainly doesn’t have the athleticism (7.63 RAS) to play left tackle in the NFL. However, he could easily become the long-term starter on the right side in Las Vegas. Still only 20 years old, Fisher offers the strength and agility to stick at right tackle for a long time. He’ll need a bit of NFL coaching to clean up his technique, but Notre Dame also does an excellent job getting their offensive linemen ready for the next level. Getting a starting-caliber player of Fisher’s caliber would be a steal at this point in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Fourth Round, 112th overall: Cooper Beebe, iOL, Kansas State

Whether it’s Minshew at Michael Penix Jr. at quarterback for Las Vegas in 2024, the offensive line needs to be better. Las Vegas finished last season ranked 15th in ESPN’s pass-block win rate (59 percent) and placed 18th in run-block win rate (70 percent). One clear need, after addressing right tackle, is the interior line.

There’s nothing flashy about Coober Beebe. He primarily played left guard at Kansas State, racking up over 1,700 reps at the position in the last two years. Although, there is some positional versatility with 100 snaps played at right tackle in 2023 (PFF). Beebe is a four-year starter who impressed in the pre-draft process with a 9.26 Relative Athletic Score. Pairing that athleticism with plenty of power, he’s also widely regarded as having one of the highest football IQs at his position. Beebe could start immediately at guard and help form one of the 10 best offensive lines in the NFL by next year.