Raiders Consider Signing Michael Penix Jr. Before Pick 13 In The NFL Draft…

With the calendar turning to April on Monday, we are officially in NFL Draft month! For the Las Vegas Raiders, that means quarterback talk is heating up as this week’s mailbag features a lot of questions about Washington’s Michael Penix Jr.

Do you think Penix will be available at 13? If he is, will the Raiders take him?

According to The MMQB’s Albert Breer, the Atlanta Falcons are sending a “sizeable group” to Seattle to hold a private workout with Penix. The Falcons hold the eighth pick of the draft and could use a long-term quarterback. However, I’d be surprised if they took Penix after signing Kirk Cousins to a four-year contract that doesn’t have a financially responsible out until year three.

That being said, Penix does seem to be gaining steam lately and an early run on quarterbacks could help his stock. Also, the Denver Broncos (12th pick) hosted him on a Top 30 visit this week, so there’s a chance he never makes it to 13 and the Raiders might have to trade with the Chicago Bears (ninth) or New York Jets (10th) to leapfrog Denver.

Bears (ninth) or New York Jets (10th) to leapfrog Denver.

If Penix does make it to 13, I think there’s a pretty good chance he’ll be wearing silver and black next season.

Matt, I’m really liking the idea of trading down and picking up Penix. My question is, how far down do you think they can go and still assure themselves picking him up and what kind of compensation do you think they can get?

A week or two ago, I would have said the 20s. But, as mentioned above, the tides have shifted and he’s gaining momentum, so I no longer think that’s the case.

If Penix falls to 13 and the Raiders try to trade back instead of taking him there, then they’ll have to worry about the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams wanting to get their quarterback in waiting. In other words, I think we have to move on from this scenario.

Medicals are a big part of why Penix isn’t in that category as four season-ending injuries can’t be ignored. His age becomes a factor too as younger players will always be seen as having a higher ceiling than older ones.

On the field, the former Husky does have a big arm, but his accuracy, touch and feel for pressure are questionable. If you’re looking for a full rundown of Penix’s game and why he’s ranked lower, below is a snippet of Derrik Klassen from Bleacher Report’s scouting report on Penix. Klassen is lower on him than I am and most other people, so that can give you an idea of why others aren’t so sold on him.

It could be smoke but, from Tom Telesco’s and Antonio Pierce’s perspective, it’s a matter of how much risk are you willing to take at the most important position on the field. They can try and call other teams’ bluff, but if those clubs aren’t bluffing, then the Raiders are going to be left empty-handed or with very few chips left on the table.

The draft can be a matter of assessing risk and at the end of the day, if a team gets a good player, where or how they got them matters very little in the big picture.

Also, J.J. McCarthy weighed in at 219 pounds during the combine and I do think the NFL is higher on him than people who are just looking at his stat sheet.