The Las Vegas Raiders missed out on an opportunity to land the first pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, losing a bidding war to the Carolina Panthers. While it cost them an opportunity to draft Bryce Young, there might be another quarterback they trade up for.
Las Vegas signed veteran quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo this offseason to be its starter in 2023. Garoppolo provides familiarity with Josh McDaniels’ system, which the Raiders’ head coach didn’t have in his first season. While Garoppolo will be the short-term solution at quarterback following the release of Derek Carr, Las Vegas is keeping its eye on the future.
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The Raiders have heavily scouted the 2023 quarterback class, including visits with Hendon Hooker, Anthony Richardson, C.J. Stroud and Will Levis. If Las Vegas doesn’t move up from the seventh overall pick, it will likely only have Hooker and Levis to choose from. However, it appears the door remains open to trading up for one quarterback.
During an appearance on ESPN’s Get Up, NFL insider Dianna Russini said she believes Las Vegas is willing to trade up into the top-three picks to land a quarterback it loves. If the right signal-caller can’t be acquired, the Raiders would use the seventh pick on a defensive player.
“When the Raiders are on the clock at No. 7 most of the top quarterbacks are expected to be gone, but here’s the reality of this. Arizona really wants to move out of that No. 3 spot. Teams have been having conversations with Arizona, and Arizona is very open to moving out. So, if the Raiders see a quarterback that they are in love with they are willing to move up there and perhaps have some conversations to go get their guy. But that being said, defense is the focus from what I can gather from having a couple of conversations with where they would like to go.”
Dianna Russini on Las Vegas Raiders draft plans
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Levis doesn’t seem to be the target, with the Indianapolis Colts higher on him than the Raiders. While the Raiders don’t have to necessarily move ahead of Indianapolis to draft their highest-rated quarterback, teams like the Seattle Seahawks, Detroit Lions, Tennessee Titans and Atlanta Falcons are viable threats.
Based on recent reporting, Stroud seems to be the preferred option in Las Vegas. NFL analysts and players strongly denied some of the criticisms Brady Quinn said about the former Ohio State quarterback. With neither the Texans nor Panthers focused on Stroud, there would be an opportunity for Las Vegas to trade up to the second or third pick if they want him.
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If Las Vegas decides the cost of moving up isn’t worth it, then another draft-day scenario becomes possible. The Raiders would use the seventh pick on a top defensive prospect, likely cornerback Christian Gonzalez or Devon Witherspoon, to fill a big need.
Later in the first round, Las Vegas could move back up to draft Hooker and secure the fifth-year team option that only first-round picks have. While definitive answers will come on draft night, it’s evident what the Raiders’ potential scenarios might be.
