Raiders reach on risky quarterback in latest mock draft

The Raiders have major questions at quarterback after officially releasing Jimmy Garoppolo last week. They signed Gardner Minshew this offseason to compete with Aidan O'Connell, but that doesn't move the needle.

That's why NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah has Las Vegas landing a quarterback in the first round of his latest mock draft. 

However, with the top four quarterbacks (USC's Caleb Williams, UNC's Drake Maye, LSU's Jayden Daniels, Michigan's J.J. McCarthy) already off the board, Jeremiah has the Raiders reaching on Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. at pick No. 13.

"The Raiders signed Gardner Minshew to compete against Aidan O’Connell. However, I don't think those two quarterbacks have the ceiling that Penix does in the NFL," Jeremiah writes. "There's an assumption that Penix is more of a second-rounder, but I think his skill set is a unique fit for the Raiders' style of play."

Penix Jr. is an intriguing option after passing for 9,544 yards, 67 touchdowns and 19 interceptions in the past two years. He also led the Huskies to a College Football Playoff National Championship appearance last season.

However, the Washington product does come at a risk. Penix Jr. suffered several injuries to begin his collegiate career, tearing his ACL twice during his time at Indiana (2018-20).

Penix Jr. looked healthy during his workout at the NFL Scouting Combine, but he still ranks as the sixth-best quarterback and No. 46 overall prospect on Pro Football Focus' big board.

Still, if the Raiders feel good about his medicals, they may get one of the draft's biggest steals. It may be hard for some to take Penix Jr. at pick No. 13 when he could still be available when they select next at pick No. 44 in the second round.

Las Vegas must determine if Penix Jr. will fall that far or if another team could be willing to take a chance on him sooner. If it believes the latter, taking him at pick No. 13 may be worth the risk.