It’s widely known that the Las Vegas Raiders are aiming to acquire a rookie quarterback from this draft who can contend for the starting position, challenging Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew. While there’s been a strong preference for LSU standout Jayden Daniels, recent developments indicate that Michael Penix Jr. is gaining traction as the potential choice.
According to odds from Draft Kings, the Raiders are favored to select Penix, with odds at plus-260, surpassing other contenders like Minnesota and Seattle. Despite this, the Raiders are still in the running for Jayden Daniels, albeit with lower odds at plus-650, trailing behind the Commanders and Patriots. Additionally, they rank third for Bo Nix from Oregon, with odds at plus-500.
Raiders Split on Quarterback Plans?
The primary dilemma facing the Raiders revolves around not only which quarterback to select but also how much draft capital they should invest to secure their desired candidate. Jayden Daniels is projected to be picked either second or third overall, necessitating the sacrifice of multiple first-round picks for the Raiders to move up to that position. However, there seems to be reluctance, particularly from GM Tom Telesco, to execute such an aggressive maneuver.
According to a report by Tony Pauline from Sportskeeda, there appears to be a discord between Telesco and head coach Antonio Pierce regarding the level of commitment to pursuing a top-tier quarterback. Pierce is reportedly advocating for a trade-up to acquire a signal caller, while Telesco is inclined towards retaining Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew.
Pierce likely has compelling reasons to advocate for a move up or, at the very least, selecting a quarterback with the No. 13 pick, such as Michael Penix or Bo Nix, who are generally considered the fifth and sixth quarterbacks in this draft class. As head coach, having a rookie quarterback could afford him more flexibility in team development.
However, if the Raiders opt for Minshew or O’Connell and experience a regression in performance, it’s probable that Pierce would bear the brunt of criticism for the decision.
Michael Penix a Top Deep-Ball Thrower
Despite potential challenges, Michael Penix Jr. could make a significant impact as a rookie, particularly with his proficiency in deep passing. While he may face difficulties in the intermediate passing game, the Raiders’ roster is well-equipped with deep threats, creating an enticing opportunity for Penix to lead an exciting offensive overhaul.
However, concerns linger regarding Penix’s injury history. Having been a sixth-year senior last year due to Covid-19 adjustments, he has endured multiple season-ending surgeries for a torn ACL in his right knee (in 2018 and 2020) and has also faced shortened seasons due to shoulder injuries.
Nevertheless, Penix’s potential remains enticing. Described by the NFL Draft Network as the top pure passing quarterback prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft class, he is viewed as a high-end starting quarterback suited for a vertical passing offense. With impressive arm talent, football IQ, accuracy, and ball placement from the pocket, Penix could flourish, especially in a system that emphasizes play-action deep shots and a strong run game. His skill set suggests he could become a franchise quarterback capable of securing multiple contracts in the NFL.
