The 2024 NFL Draft is nearing, and what the Las Vegas Raiders will do with their first-round pick remains an absolute mystery. There have been rumors about the franchise moving up in the draft to take a quarterback, or they could stay put at 13.
What direction the Raiders would go if they remain at 13 is also completely unknown. There were reports that the team was eyeing a cornerback or offensive lineman with their first-round pick. But the team has also been linked with University of Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr., someone who isn’t expected to be selected that high in the draft.
But that may not matter as according to ESPN’s Matt Miller (subscription required) the Raiders are really big fans of Penix and could legitimately take him with their first-round pick:
One constant I keep hearing from people I trust is that the Raiders really do like Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and could select him at No. 13 overall. That would qualify as a surprise, despite the fact that Penix is a beautiful thrower from the pocket and has the best overall arm strength in this class. His medical history — four straight season-ending injuries while at Indiana — and his lack of mobility are concerns enough that he is ranked No. 40 on my board and is generally seen as a Day 2 prospect, but the buzz here is starting to heat up connecting the Raiders to him in Round 1. Las Vegas signed Gardner Minshew, but this team was 26th in QBR last season (40.1) and needs a long-term solution.
As Miller noted, Penix’s injury history is a concern, but he was an absolute star for the Huskies over the past two years. Last season he was the Heisman Trophy runner-up and won the Maxwell Award while leading Washington to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game. Additionally, Penix ran a sub-4.6 40-yard dash at his Pro Day just to show that he does have the ability to move but simply prefers to be a pocket passer.
The Raiders undoubtedly need another quarterback and Antonio Pierce hasn’t been shy about speaking on that. Penix could be the answer they’re looking for, but the question will be whether he is worth 13th overall. The team could always trade back into the first round later on, but if the braintrust feels that is the best move at 13 then the Raiders could surprise many and take who they believe is their next franchise quarterback.
Aidan O’Connell looking forward to competing for Raiders starting QB job
If the Raiders do take Penix, or any other quarterback in the draft for that matter, it will be a competition to find out who will begin the season as the team’s starting quarterback. And the returning Aidan O’Connell is looking forward to it.
The second-year quarterback spoke on this recently, saying that he wouldn’t want it any other way and that it is his job to keep the starting job. The Raiders also added veteran Gardner Minshew II, but it was O’Connell who ended last year atop the depth chart, and he plans on staying that way.
