Paul KasabianFeatured Columnist IIMarch 14, 2024
The Las Vegas Raiders have actually taken part in “exploratory talks” relating to a relocation from No. 13 total in the 2024 NFL draft to a top-three area.
Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated exposed that news in reaction to a mailbag concern from a reader who asked if the Raiders were “working to trade up, and if so, how far?”
“The Las Vegas Raiders have actually had exploratory talks on going up into the leading 3,” Breer composed.
“Will they do it?” he continued. “I do not believe the very first 3 choices will end up being traded, and, after you surpass that, it depends upon the group's assessment of McCarthy (and possibly a couple others). And from there, it depends upon whether it specifies where the previous Michigan QB will not make it to No. 13 (which is definitely possible). We've still got a long method to go.”
Probably, that go up would involve picking a quarterback. The current Bleacher Report NFL Scouting Department mock draft has USC's Caleb Williams, UNC's Drake Maye and LSU's Jayden Daniels going one-two-three.
The problem the Raiders face (and as Breer kept in mind) is that they require a ready trade partner to enable them to go up.
The Chicago Bears still have Justin Fields, it appears by all accounts that they will be taking Williams with the No. 1 general option.
The Washington Commanders and New England Patriots require long-lasting options at quarterback, specifically with the latter group ending the Mac Jones period by trading him to the Jacksonville Jaguars. It makes sense for both groups to remain put and take quarterbacks.
Now, Las Vegas has Aidan O'Connell and Gardner Minshew contending to be QB1, both of whom are appropriate beginners capable of winning ballgames.
They have actually restricted ceilings, so if the Raiders are looking for a blue-chip quarterback to develop around, they require to move up.
Possibly their best option is attempting to climb up all the method as much as No. 4 (presently owned by the Arizona Cardinals) if they favor somebody like Michigan's J.J. McCarthy, who has actually acquired a lots of predraft steam in current weeks.
Eventually, a go up to the leading 3 appears not likely provided the groups that inhabit those areas. The Raiders can take solace in the truth that they are rolling into 2024 on the wave of excellent momentum from the end of last year, when then-interim (and now head coach) Antonio Pierce assisted the group to a 5-4 record, consisting of a win over the Super Bowl champ Kansas City Chiefs.
