Las Vegas Raiders GM Tom Telesco may have sights set on the franchise’s quarterback of the future in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft.
Gardner Minshew is likely a bridge quarterback and adding a long-term quarterback remains a top priority.
In Ryan Wilson's latest mock draft for CBS Sports, the Raiders trade up into the first round to select University of Washington Heisman Trophy finalist Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 31 overall selection.
“In 2018, the Ravens traded back into the bottom of the first round to select Lamar Jackson.,” Ryan Wilson wrote. “The compensation: Baltimore sent picks 52 and 125 in 2018, and pick 53 in 2019 to Philadelphia for picks 32 and 132 in 2018. In this mock draft, the Raiders send picks 44 and 148 in 2024, and a 2nd- and 4th-rounder in 2025 to move up to No. 31. Las Vegas gets the best deep-ball thrower in the class, in addition to arguably the best cornerback with pick No. 13”
A Round 1 haul of Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell and Penix Jr. would be a strong foundation to rebuild in the AFC West, especially after adding elite run-stuffer Christian Wilkins alongside Maxx Crosby in free agency.
Michael Penix Jr. scouting report
Selecting Penix Jr. could be the perfect move for the Raiders, especially with Minshew in the fold to help develop him.
Penix Jr. completed 63.3 percent of his passes during his six-year collegiate career at Indiana and Washington, passing for 13,741 yards with 96 touchdowns to 34 interceptions while guiding the Huskies into the National Championship Game this past season.
“Penix will be a 24-year-old rookie with a history of season-ending injuries at Indiana and impressive production while at Washington," NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein points out. "The Huskies’ offensive design helped declutter coverages for Penix, allowing him to throw a higher number of intermediate and deep passes. He plays with smart pocket mobility and a willingness to get rid of the football, which makes it difficult to sack him. His delivery is bundled and his release point is very low, but his monster game against Texas showed flashes of impeccable touch. Penix has plenty of arm but needs to work with more consistent timing between the numbers to eliminate unnecessary contested throws. He’s a pocket passer who was ineffective in 2023 when defenses were able to crank up the heat and make him move his feet. Playing in a shotgun-based spread attack might give him his best chance to succeed, but he needs to prove he can thrive outside of the Washington offense and stay free from injury.”
The Raiders face a tall order overcoming the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC West, but can’t even begin to think about competing over the long-term before settling on a quarterback they believe can deliver a bright future. Penix Jr. represents an opportunity to build exactly that.
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