As the 2024 NFL Draft approaches, the Las Vegas Raiders have many potential quarterback options. The team could trade up for someone like Jayden Daniels, move back, or possibly wait until the second round for someone like Michael Penix Jr. or Bo Nix, but there’s no guarantee they will last that long.
If they do go with the latter option, Penix has been a name that has been trending recently as a possible choice for the Raiders. The University of Washington star and Heisman Trophy runner-up was absolutely outstanding in leading the Huskies to the College Football National Championship Game.
One ESPN analyst believes Penix and the Raiders would make the perfect marriage. On a recent episode of NFL Live, Mina Kimes explained why she loves the idea of Penix to the Raiders via Sean Deveney of Heavy.com:
“I really like the idea of Michael Penix Jr. on the Las Vegas Raiders, for a few reasons,” Kimes said on NFL Live this week. “For him, it doesn’t make sense to me to draft him and then sit him for a couple of years, not just because he is an older prospect but because he is the kind of player who has played a lot of football and can come in and compete immediately. That’s what the Las Vegas Raiders in their current quarterback room—Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew—need. Someone who can come in and compete for that starting job.”
Due to injuries and Covid, Penix spent six seasons in college, with the final two coming in Washington, where he was one of the best quarterbacks in the nation. Last season Penix led the nation in passing yards with 4,903 to go along with 36 touchdowns.
But having suffered a pair of torn ACLs, as well as multiple shoulder issues, teams are worried about his injury history. Also, the fact that he will be 24 years old in May, compared to the likes of Drake Maye or JJ McCarthy, who are both only 21, may concern the Raiders as well.
But Kimes is right that Penix is someone who can come in and compete for the Raiders’ starting job immediately, which is exactly what this team needs. With Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew already in the quarterback’s room, a dynamic option like Penix could join the franchise and potentially take this team to the next level.
Raiders considering adding Ryan Tannehill in free agency?
Of course, even if they do draft Michael Penix Jr. or someone else, the Raiders could still add another veteran quarterback to the mix as well, and one interesting option could be former Tennessee Titans starter Ryan Tannehill.
One writer believes Tannehill could be an excellent option for the Raiders who have the offensive weapons but simply must find the right guy under center. And Tannehill has shown that, in the right situation, he can produce and win.
