The Las Vegas Raiders have some in reality defined wants in the 2024 NFL Draft, starting with quarterback. Antonio Pierce’s crew additionally wants assist on the offensive line, with three starters becoming free agents, and on protection at cornerback and protecting tackle. Due to these needs, the two sneaky proper players the Raiders need to take in the NFL draft are college football countrywide champion adversaries Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. and Texas DT T’Vondre Sweat.
While Aidan O’Connell had his moments in 2023, the Raiders quarterback didn’t exhibit any symptoms that he will ever be near the level of his AFC West foes Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert. And with Jimmy Garoppolo now probable out after his PED suspension, it’s time for the Raiders to discover their subsequent quarterback of the future.
Las Vegas may want to make a bold cross and change up for one of the top three QBs — Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, or Jayden Daniels — but if they don’t, they are in a bit of a no-man’s land at No. thirteen for a signal-caller.
The Raiders would be great served shedding back for a QB in Round 1 or taking a signal-caller who falls to Round 2.
Additionally, Coach Pierce was a Pro Bowl linebacker in the NFL, so he’ll honestly want to repair the defense. The nice way to do that right away is to get a defensive tackle who can take some interest away from Maxx Crosby and help cease the run, something Las Vegas couldn’t do at all in 2023.
With all that in mind, right here are the two sneaky excellent players the Raiders should take in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
Trading up to one of the pinnacle three selections in the NFL draft would value the Raiders an obscene amount of draft capital. And taking JJ McCarthy or Bo Nix at No. thirteen would be a reach. Nix is in all likelihood maxed out as a prospect, and McCarthy was once a game-manager in college.
Neither is an best suit for this Raiders team.
Michael Penix Jr. comes in with a lot of questions, however additionally a lot of skills. If he didn’t have the fitness worries he does, he would probable be in the combine with Williams, Maye, and Daniels — or more possibly with CJ Stroud and Bryce Young closing season or even Kenny Pickett the year before.
Will Penix play 10 or greater years in the NFL with his injury history? Probably not.
You comprehend who doesn’t care if Penix is nevertheless a beginning NFL QB in 2034? Davante Adams, Crosby, Josh Jacobs (If Vegas maintains him), and probable even Pierce if we’re being honest.
If the former Huskies signal-caller can supply the Raiders three to 5 true years, selecting him in the lower back half of of Round 1 or Round 2 would still be a win for this modern crop of Raiders. And if the crew can select him up in Round 2, it would enable them to take a blue-chip protecting prospect at No. nine like Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold.
T’Vondre Sweat, DT, Texas
The Raiders have been brutal towards the run last season. They ranked in the backside 1/2 of the league in speeding yards, yards per attempt, and speeding touchdowns allowed. This crew wants a large run-stuffer in the middle of the D to clear up that hassle and take strain off of Crosby and the linebackers.
Enter the 6-foot-4, 364-pound mountain of a man T’Vondre Sweat.
Sweat is the epitome of a run-stuffing, space-eating protecting tackle. It will take a minimal of two offensive linemen to block him if an opponent wants to run up the middle, and while he is no longer an elite ignore rusher by way of any means, his sheer size and strength can push the pocket into the QB’s face if he holds the ball too long.
Sweat used to be a standout at the Senior Bowl, putting indoors offensive linemen on their backs in 1v1s, and if he impresses with his athleticism for his dimension at the combine, He ought to effortlessly get into Round 1, and perhaps even the middle of it.
