Raiders Cut Deal Of $900,613.8 Million 4-Star QB Player As Mark Davis OK With First Round Trade For 2024 Season, Raiders signs…
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Currently set to pick 13th overall, the Raiders will need to move up the board if the team decides to use its top pick on one of the 2024 class’ top quarterbacks. An addition of some kind under center is expected, and a move aimed at acquiring Jayden Danielsin particular would be a costly endeavor in terms of draft capital.
Las Vegas already has Aidan O’Connell– who finished his rookie season as the team’s starter and will at least have the chance to retain QB1 duties in 2024 – along with free agent signing Gardner Minshewin place at the quarterback spot. The Raiders also have a new general manager in Tom Telesco and Antonio Pierce (who closed out the 2023 campaign on an interim basis) as a first-time NFL head coach. Electing to stay at No. 13 could thus serve the purpose of retaining draft assets while allowing a new regime to add at other roster spots.
However, ESPN’s Paul Gutierrez reports Raiders owner Mark Davis “has given his blessing” to Telesco and Pierce to make a trade in the first round. While that could of course include a move down the order, it would also mean an aggressive effort aimed at landing a passer like Drake Maye, J.J. McCarthyor Daniels could be on the table if a partner were to be found. The latter has been named as the top choice for a hypothetical Raiders trade-up maneuver (along with, notably, that of the Vikings).
Daniels has a connection with Pierce given their time together at Arizona State. The reigning Heisman winner is a candidate to hear his name called second overall, though, putting him firmly on the Commanders’ radar. After Washington (a team expected to retain the No. 2 pick), the Patriots are in line to add a signal-caller if they elect not to trade down. Other teams – such as the Vikings and Broncos – are candidates to move into the top five to acquire a QB, while the Giants (No. 6) have also received the green light from ownership to spend a first-round pick at the position.
Provided the same holds true for the Raiders, they will remain a team to watch closely as the draft draws nearer. Vegas has met with not only Daniels but also Michael Penix Jr.and Bo Nix, passers generally regarded as second-tier prospects in the 2024 class. If a trade partner can be found near the top of the board, though, it will be interesting to see if Telesco, Pierce and the Raiders decide to pursue a high-profile quarterback addition later this month.
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Las Vegas Raiders’ Antonio Pierce Makes Major 6-Word Proclamation on Draft Plans
Uncertainty reigns supreme when it comes to the Las Vegas Raiders’ future at quarterback, especially after signing Gardner Minshew early in free agency, but without a long-term potion at the position beyond the 2024 season.
However, as the NFL Draft looms large at the end of this month, Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce made a strong statement on the team’s plans.
“I think everything is on the table,” Pierce told reporters during the NFL Annual Meeting.
Could the Las Vegas Raiders Trade Up For a Quarterback?
The Raiders need to solidify the future at quarterback, both from long-term sustainability of the franchise, as well as to give Pierce a major piece to build around in his first full season as head coach.
“Whatever makes the Raiders better,” Pierce told reporters, via ESPN. “I’m all for. And when I say I’m a go-getter, [that means] whatever it takes to win, whatever it takes to get the best player to make our team the best, that’s what I want to do, and that’s what I’d like to see us do.
“Tom Telesco has a lot more experience in the draft than myself. I’m going to lean on him and his expertise on what we should do. And if it’s the right fit and that guy there that we want is a Raider, and he fits the Raider culture in our way, then we’ll go get him.”
According to ESPN’s Paul Gutierrez, Raiders owner Mark Davis has given his blessing for Telesco and Pierce to make a move, any move … so long as it makes sense.
Who Might the Raiders be Able to Trade Up With?
If Pierce and the Raiders have sights on the likes of Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, or even Michigan’s surging quarterback prospect J.J. McCarthy, Las Vegas may need to climb all the way to the No. 3 overall pick, and there’s no guarantee the Patriots will move back.
Las Vegas owns the No. 13 overall pick in this year’s class, and if they hope to upgrade a quarterback room that includes Minshew and Aidan O’Connell, the franchise may need to part with their first-round pick this year as well as at least a selection in the first round of the 2025 draft, as well.
The reality is, the Raiders are just one of many teams potentially storming the gates to trade up, alongside the likes of the Minnesota Vikings and potentially the New York Giants who are better positioned from a draft capital standpoint than Las Vegas currently finds itself.