The Las Vegas Raiders have spent the offseason releasing various statements regarding their plans for the future. However, their statements, combined with their moves in free agency, raise a few questions about their true plans for this year’s NFL Draft.
Raiders General Manager Tom Telesco has done a masterful job of filling the holes the Raiders’ roster had at the start of the offseason, allowing for flexibility in the draft. With Telesco’s free agency signings, the Raiders do not have to be pigeonholed into drafting a particular player or position.
The Raiders are coming off a season where their issues at quarterback greatly inhibited the team’s chances at the playoffs. Raiders Coach Antonio Pierce announced there would be a quarterback competition. The Raiders signed quarterback Gardner Minshew to compete with Aidan O’Connell, but the club let it be known it was still interested in adding a quarterback to its roster.
The Raiders currently have the 13th-overall pick, and it has been rumored they are trying their hardest to trade up in the draft for one of the top quarterbacks available. Considering his history with Coach Pierce, it is presumed Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels would be the Raiders’ target should they trade up.
A team letting the whole world know they are interested in trading up is not necessarily uncommon. A team releasing that information while trying to trade up as far as the Raiders would likely need to in order to draft one of the top quarterbacks available is uncommon.
While the Raiders could very well trade up for Daniels in the draft, a seemingly quarterback needy team letting the whole league know they are interested in trading up roughly 10 spots seems counterproductive. A team with a top-five draft pick knowing a potential trade partner is desperate to complete the trade would only drive the price up to complete said trade.
The Raiders have plenty of options of what to do in the draft. They could trade up, trade back, or stay put and still get a quality player. However, it would not be surprising at all if the public’s comments from Coach Pierce, Davante Adams, and the rumors of them wanting to mortgage their future for a quarterback could be a smoke screen the Raiders brass are throwing out in an effort to help ensure the player they really want is still there when they select 13th.
While Daniels is undoubtedly talented, the Raiders could find a solid addition to their team without mortgaging their future.
The NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Mich., on April 25-27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders currently have the No. 13 overall pick.
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