The 2024 NFL Draft is quickly approaching, and the Las Vegas Raiders are in a position to add some foundational pieces to the roster that can help new head coach Antonio Pierce execute his vision.
Las Vegas has eight draft picks, with its first selection being No. 13 overall. The roster has a number of needs, particularly offensively, as the Raiders could go in a few different directions.
It’s never a bad idea to invest in the offensive line, especially for Pierce who has already said he wants to play tough and physical football up front. However, the biggest need is at quarterback as Las Vegas doesn’t have a long-term solution at the position.
One name that’s been linked to the Silver and Black is South Carolina’s Spencer Rattler whom the Raiders reportedly registered interest in before his Pro Day via Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report:
South Carolina QB Spencer Rattler remains an intriguing prospect as a Round 2 pick. Team quarterback rankings vary, and in some cases, Rattler is ranked higher than expected.
The Senior Bowl MVP drew interest from half the league in recent weeks, including the #Raiders the… pic.twitter.com/OpNRehk95s
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) April 17, 2024
With Las Vegas reportedly eyeing either an offensive lineman or a cornerback, Rattler might be in consideration for the team later in the draft. Rattler is considered to be a Day 2 pick which makes him a viable target for Las Vegas either at No. 44 or No. 77.
Standing at 6’0″ and weighing 210 pounds, Rattler is on the smaller side for an NFL quarterback but showed patience and toughness during his four years in college. He’s also a serviceable runner when the pocket breaks down, though he much prefers to sit in the pocket and allow for plays to develop.
Assuming the Raiders don’t trade up in the first round to take one of the highly-coveted quarterbacks, Rattler makes sense as a dart throw. While he would likely sit behind Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell in rookie season, he might be able to develop into a serviceable starter down the line.
Aidan O’Connell looking forward to competing for Raiders’ starting quarterback job
O’Connell stepped in midway through the 2023 season after Pierce took over as interim and showed real flashes of what he can do at the professional level. The Raiders signed Minshew in free agency, but that hasn’t deterred O’Connell who said he’s looking forward to competing for the starting job.
