Ex-Raiders All-Pro Add LV Young QB To Make Davante Adams Happy…
For teams like the Las Vegas Raiders who require a new quarterback, this is not a bad year. A number of highly intriguing prospects have either announced or are expected to declare for the NFL Draft in 2024.
Michael Penix Jr. of Washington was one quarterback who undoubtedly enhanced his draft prospects during college football bowl season. In the Rose Bowl, he passed for 430 yards and two touchdowns as the Huskies defeated Texas 37–31.
While watching the game, former Raiders All-Pro offensive lineman Kelechi Osemele tweeted on January 1st, X, that he wanted to see Penix play for Las Vegas moving forward.
Penix would probably be drawn to the Raiders because he could throw to star wide receiver Davante Adams. Adams, in Osemele’s opinion, “would be happy” to catch passes from the inexperienced quarterback.
In 2024, the Raiders ought to be a contender to select a quarterback first overall. This season, Aidan O’Connell hasn’t performed well enough to guarantee a starting spot the following year. The Raiders’ top priority moving forward will be locating a franchise quarterback, regardless of who leads the team as head coach the following season.
Where Will Michael Penix Jr. Be Drafted?
It’s challenging to estimate Michael Penix Jr.’s draft position. Having thrown for over 4,600 yards and 30 touchdowns in back-to-back seasons, his stats are outstanding. In addition, he is a successful football player who guided Washington to their first National Championship since 1991.
But there are issues with him. When the 2024 NFL season begins, he will be 24 years old. He is currently 23. He also sustained two torn ACLs while attending college. Penix is obviously very accurate and has great arm talent. At 6-foot-3 and 213 pounds, he is also quite large.
He would definitely be in the running to be a top-five pick if he was 21 years old and had no history of injuries. Considering everything, he is probably going to drop out of the top 10. He has the potential to be a very good NFL quarterback, but selecting him carries some significant risks. It’s easy to see him impressing with some throws early in his career, and there will be a team willing to take a chance on him. If he can maintain a consistent level of health at the NFL level, that will be the true test.
Is Michael Penix Jr. Right for Las Vegas Raiders?
The choice of the Raiders’ starting quarterback for the upcoming season will mostly depend on the head coach and offensive coordinator. As of right now, Tankathon reports that Las Vegas owns the eleventh pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. They are probably in the running to choose Michael Penix Jr.
The Raiders really only need a capable quarterback in the end. It will be difficult to select one of the top players, such as Caleb Williams of USC and Drake Maye of UNC, if you pick outside of the top 10. If interim head coach Antonio Pierce stays in the position next season, LSU’s Jayden Daniels is the best option among the second-tier quarterbacks. When they were both at Arizona State, Pierce collaborated with Daniels.
Penix might fit in better with the Raiders should they choose a more traditional coach like Jim Harbaugh or Bill Belichick.