After a rough start to the 2023 season, the Las Vegas Raiders have bounced back and are sitting at .500 with a 3-3 record entering a Week 7 road matchup with a banged-up and struggling Chicago Bears squad.
Despite the Raiders’ defense winning them games, the sad state of the team’s offense and its ineffective starting quarterback has many in Raider Nation already thinking of April and the NFL Draft.
With veteran Jimmy Garoppolo an expensive flop so far on the Las Vegas Strip and currently sidelined to injury, rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell will get more action. So far, O’Connell, a fourth-round pick from Purdue, made one start where he turned over the ball three times in the Raiders’ road loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.
Related: Love Fantasy Sports? Get Top FREE Insights From One Of The World’s Best Players Today!
With so much unknown about the future of the position for the Raiders over the next few seasons, we will look at five targets that make sense for the team in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft. It’s still early in 2023, so we’ll have to make some assumptions related to Las Vegas’ draft order and other teams who will most certainly be in the market for a young future franchise QB.
We’ll break out the quarterbacks that make sense for the Raiders in tiers based on their draft order and consider what those teams around them in the draft are expected to do and if they have a glaring need for a quarterback in April.
Scenario: Las Vegas Raiders pick in the Top 10
For the Raiders to pick within the first 10 selections of the 2024 NFL Draft, they will need to finish with 5-7 wins. In 2023, the Raiders finished 6-11 and owned the seventh overall pick in the first round. It’s hard to say for sure where that range will be this year, especially with the parity in the AFC. But that’s our estimate. If they are in that range, here’s our top selection with what we know today.
Another note as you consider these projections: Currently, at 3-3, the Raiders would own the 14th overall pick. Besides being outside the top-five money zone, the rub is that eight teams in range ahead or near the Raiders either desperately need a quarterback or are possible suitors for an upgrade at the position. That doesn’t bode well if Las Vegas finishes with more than seven or eight wins.
If the Raiders fall down the rest of the season and are within striking distance, the perfect choice is simple:
Drake Maye, North Carolina
We know Raider Nation hopes for Caleb Williams from USC. He won’t be there and will go first overall. But they could trade up for the pick, you say? Nope. It won’t happen. That leaves Drake May as the next man up and the next available quarterback. Even then, Drake will most likely be out of reach for the Raiders unless their season falls apart or they’re willing to trade up, as Maye will be a top-five pick.
If the Raiders can get in position to draft Maye, he has everything going for him. He’s tall, strong and incredibly agile. His throwing arm is top-notch and he effortlessly makes difficult throws seem easy. He’s adept at evading defenders with his movements and quick reflexes. Maye also possesses a knack for making plays whether it’s launching the ball downfield or delivering precise shorter throws when plays break down. He doesn’t seem to get rattled.
What truly makes Drake Maye a close No. 2 behind Williams is super-high football intelligence. He excels at analyzing defenses swiftly, making decisions and constantly scanning the field to identify options. He’s willing to take calculated risks when necessary but also exhibits patience in exploiting what the defense offers him. With his blend of athleticism, intellect and resilience, he stands out above the rest of the quarterback prospects in the draft.
Related: Sportsnaut’s 2024 NFL mock draft
Scenario: Raiders pick 11-32 in first round
Picking 32nd is probably only in the cards if the yet-to-be-decided Super Bowl champions trade the pick to the Raiders after this season. So we’ll discount them picking that late but a pick between 11-18 is the most possible. Based on this year’s class, there are several options for the Raiders in this range when looking to select a quarterback.
Note: The quarterback market in the draft is always volatile so these players could quickly find themselves considered top-10 picks.
Michael Penix, Washington
Michael Penix is having a tremendous season thanks to the formidable Washington offense and there is a chance he could be in the running for the Heisman Trophy. With close to 2,000 passing yards 16 touchdowns and two interceptions, his statistics are truly impressive.
Despite his big numbers and huge win over Oregon last week, Penix hasn’t always been consistently accurate with his throws. He often relies on his receivers to make him shine on the field. Additionally, there is room for improvement in terms of his technique and footwork—a trend observed over the six years he’s played.
Despite these imperfections, Penix stands out as one of the daring quarterbacks out there. His fearlessness in playing style, particularly when throwing passes, is guaranteed to capture the attention of NFL scouts — including the Raiders. Even though he may not be flawless, his aggressive approach to the game could well make him highly sought after come April.
Related: Las Vegas Raiders’ standing in Sportsnaut’s NFL power rankings
Quinn Ewers, Texas
Ewers is exceptionally accurate with first-call ball placement and always puts his receivers in a great spot to make catches. He has an ability to adapt his throws on the spot whether its firing off a strong pass or finding the perfect angle to outsmart the defense. His quick release is built for the NFL where quick decision-making and getting rid of the ball under duress are keys for quarterbacks to be successful.
The 20-year-old Ewers still needs to work on some key areas as he hits the NFL. Sometimes his throwing mechanics can be a bit sloppy and he doesn’t possess the arm strength to compensate for it. He may not be extremely agile so his success will heavily depend on his ability to excel within the pocket. When faced with pressure he tends to rush his throws and the system he played in college didn’t fully prepare him for the intricacies of NFL plays.
Don’t underestimate him just because of his young age or limited experience as a starter — this guy knows how to analyze the field. He has quickly grasped strategies and knows exactly where to deliver the ball. With the schedule Texas has face the past two seasons, he’s also handled big -pressure games without wilting.
Bo Nix, Oregon
Bo Nix is an athlete with a solid frame and surprisingly impressive speed and agility given his size. He possesses a throwing arm capable of delivering accurate passes even when off balance, particularly on shorter and medium range routes. Nix has shown his ability to think on his feet, never shying away from making plays. Additionally, he has diligently worked on refining his throwing technique to ensure more reliable passes. When faced with pressure, he remains focused downfield extending plays to locate the best possible options.
What distinguishes him is his dual-threat capability. Nix poses a rushing threat that could accumulate significant yardage in the NFL. Since joining Oregon, there has been improvement in his timing and accuracy. Nix embodies a gamer mentality displaying trust in his reads while executing plays. For Raiders fans seeking a quarterback who can both sling it through the air and take off running when needed, Bo Nix is certainly someone keeping an eye on.
Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
Shedeur Sanders has been making quite an impact as a quarterback this year in Colorado impressing us to the point where we’re considering him as a draft pick for the Las Vegas Raiders. It’s worth noting that he might choose to stay for his senior year at Colorado, making him a wild card first-round prospect.
With an NFL pedigree, Sanders has not only achieved outstanding national stats and received numerous awards but also possesses qualities that go beyond surface level achievements. Standing at 6-foot-2 and weighing 215 pounds, he brings both athleticism and solid running skills to the table. While he may not possess the level of agility as players like Lamar Jackson or Bryce Young, Sanders excels in maneuvering within the pocket by creating passing opportunities rather than aimlessly scrambling.
What truly sets Sanders apart in our quarterback rankings for the Raiders is his arm talent. He consistently displays precision and velocity when making throws even when targeting narrow openings downfield. This skill set aligns perfectly with the Raiders offensive strategy making him an intriguing prospect for the draft if he chooses to skip his senior season. It’s definitely worth keeping a watch on this talented player who has immense potential and could bring great value to the Silver and Black.
Scenario: Raiders choose a quarterback after the first round
In the event the Raiders choose to not take a quarterback in the first round, it’s not anywhere close to the end of the football world. Only a small percentage of quarterbacks taken in the first round play long and productive careers. Examples of quarterbacks taken in rounds two through six are well documented.
If the Raiders decide to go defense or offensive line in the first round, the notable rated quarterbacks more than likely available include Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy, South Carolina’s Spencer Rattler, Riley Leonard of Duke and Jayden Daniels of LSU.
Raider Nation shouldn’t be discouraged if their team waits as the quarterback class for 2024 is one of the deepest in a long time.