The Las Vegas Raiders have been linked to a number of different quarterbacks with the likes of Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, and Jimmy Garoppolo all being mentioned as possibilities at one point in time. But the 2023 NFL Draft is always a means to bring in a game-changer as well and there are a number of quarterbacks expected to be high picks.
The Raiders are currently armed with the seventh overall pick which, if they stay put, would take them out of the running for the top quarterback prospects, though there are a couple of others expected to be top-10 picks who could be available there as well.
In fact, in a recent mock draft by Mike Sando of The Athletic, he had the Raiders taking a quarterback in Will Levis of Kentucky. According to Sando, there is a belief by some opposing general managers that the Raiders will take a quarterback with their top pick whether they stay at number 7 or move up:
A different GM from a team picking outside the top 10 said he could envision the Raiders trading into Arizona’s slot at No. 3, with a quarterback in mind. He thought Las Vegas would sign a veteran bridge starter or stick with Jarrett Stidham while developing a drafted rookie.
“Josh (McDaniels) drafted (Tim) Tebow in Denver because of the makeup, he has been with (Tom) Brady, he has been with Mac Jones,” this GM said. “Levis has that makeup where he is going to be really good on the board and everything like that, so they might prioritize that.”
The idea of Josh McDaniels wanting to draft his own quarterback and develop him makes a lot of sense. McDaniels is known as an offensive mind and someone who works great with the quarterback position. Finding his guy in the draft is what coaches like him are known to do.
If the Raiders stay at number 7, Levis is a very intriguing option. The Kentucky product is a big, athletic prospect with a huge arm and plenty of confidence, though there are concerns about his accuracy and decision-making. On the favorable side, one could compare him to current Buffalo Bills starter Josh Allen who struggled early before developing into one of the NFL’s best players at the position.
Quarterback is the most important position in the game and the Raiders have to find their guy one way or another, and if it is through the draft, McDaniels and the Raiders scouting must be sure to make the right choice.
