The Las Vegas Raiders have scouted the top quarterback prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft heavily this offseason. While the team won’t land any of the top players atop this year’s quarterback prospect rankings, there is another they are reportedly very high on.
Las Vegas already provided itself some security at the position by signing Gardner Minshew. Signed to a two-year contract with $15 million guaranteed, Minshew immediately provides the Raiders with a reliable fill-in starter and they remain high on backup quarterback Aidan O’Connell.
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However, head coach Antonio Pierce and general manager Tom Telesco would both like to find a quarterback for the future. With Caleb Williams, Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels almost certainly off the table, Las. Vegas might’ve found another option that it is very high on.
On the latest Yahoo Sports’ Inside Coverage podcast, NFL reporter Charles Robinson said he heard around the combine in Indianapolis that the Raiders “really like” quarterback Michael Penix Jr.
It’s not the first time Las Vegas has been connected to the Heisman Trophy finalist in recent days. NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah, who is one of the most well-connected analysts in media, had the Raiders taking Penix Jr. 13th overall in his latest mock draft.
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Heading into the NFL Combine, there remained medical concerns about Penix Jr. He experienced a myriad of season-ending injuries in his college career, including two ACL tears. He’s also one of the oldest quarterbacks in the 2024 NFL Draft class.
Fortunately for the reigning first-team All-American quarterback, he left Indianapolis with positive reviews on his medicals. He’s also been well-regarded for his leadership, football IQ and maturity in meetings with teams. Paired with his physical talent and production, there is now a much stronger possibility he is a first-round pick.
With quarterbacks expected to be taken with the first three picks and the Minnesota Vikings heavily favored to move up for J.J. McCarthy, Penix Jr. will likely be the best quarterback available for Las Vegas. If that’s the case, the choice for the Raiders’ front office becomes whether or not to draft him at No. 13 or to take a chance that he falls towards the end of Round 1 and move up for him.
