The Las Vegas Raiders are exploring several possibilities for their quarterback position next season, and one of those possibilities includes selecting one of the top rookies in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Raiders own the 13th overall pick in the draft, which would appear to be outside the zone for one of the top four quarterbacks in the draft.
The Las Vegas Raiders want a long-term fix at QB
The Raiders were named as a team that was interested in trading with the Chicago Bears for quarterback Justin Fields. Head coach Antonio Pierce said he didn’t want a “band-aid” at the position. It’s unclear if Fields would be a “band-aid” in Las Vegas, as the team who trades for the fourth-year quarterback would be expected to try and sign him long-term, if not pick up his fourth-year option.
The Raiders could find a quarterback in free agency. The Denver Broncos announced their intentions to release Russell Wilson at the start of the league’s new year. The Raiders could sign Wilson at the vet minimum and take a rookie quarterback in the draft to secure a long-term plan in Las Vegas.
The Raiders could trade up for J.J. McCarthy or Jayden Daniels
Per Vic Tafur and Tashan Reed with The Athletic, the Raiders are interested in trading up for a quarterback in the draft:
“The Raiders have been exploring trading up — and maybe not as high as you think, according to league and team sources. It may be unrealistic to swing a trade to move into the top three picks considering the Bears (pick No. 1), Commanders (No. 2) and New England Patriots (No. 3) need quarterbacks. Caleb Williams (USC), Daniels (LSU) and Drake Maye (North Carolina) are widely considered to be the top three quarterback prospects available.
Pierce has a strong relationship with Daniels stemming from leading his recruitment as an assistant coach at Arizona State…
Telesco has also had conversations centered on potentially trading for picks in the 5 to 7 range, which are owned by the Los Angeles Chargers (pick No. 5), New York Giants (No. 6) and Tennessee Titans (No. 7). That type of trade could be made to put the Raiders in range for another trade up later or a player at another premium position, but it mostly makes sense if it’s a move up for a quarterback like Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy.”
The Raiders don’t need to trade just to trade
The Raiders need to hit on their next quarterback. The team shouldn’t settle for landing whatever quarterback is available between 5 and 7, whether that be J.J. McCarthy or Jayden Daniels. The front office should only look to trade up if the quarterback they like in the draft is available when they can trade up.
The Raiders have too many holes on the roster to give up capital for a player who cannot develop into a true starter in the league.
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