Bryce Young is not expected to be available when the Raiders pick at No. 7 overall, but the team is continuing its general quarterback research by meeting with the former Heisman Trophy winner.
The former Alabama signal-caller will meet with the Raiders on Thursday, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Young will head to Las Vegas for the meeting. He earlier spent time with Raiders brass in Tuscaloosa around the date of his pro day. Young additionally is working out for the Colts in California this week.
While the Raiders have been connected to potentially trading up for a quarterback, the window for a move — the Cardinals’ slot at No. 3 overall — may still not be sufficient to land Young. The Panthers are still in play to take Young at No. 1 overall, though C.J. Stroud may have a slight lead. The Texans have been the team steadily connected to the 5-foot-10 passer. A recent report, however, indicated Houston is not dead-set on selecting a quarterback at No. 2 overall. That would open the door for Young or Stroud to be available at No. 3.
Jimmy Garoppolo signed a three-year deal with the Raiders earlier in the offseason, with the team guaranteeing the veteran starter $33.75M. The Garoppolo agreement has not taken the Raiders out of consideration for a first-round QB, though.
As the team transitions from its nine-year Derek Carr era, the Josh McDaniels–Dave Ziegler coach/GM duo is doing regular homework on this year’s crop of rookie arms. Garoppolo profiles as a bridge player, with Brian Hoyer is now in place as a veteran backup. But the Raiders also may have Hoyer in mind as a mentor-type for a draftee-to-be.
A scenario in which the Texans take Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson at No. 2 would make Young or Stroud available to teams that may not have anticipated such an outcome, potentially increasing the value of the Cardinals’ draft choice. Of course, Anderson going higher than expected would also mean three first-round-level QBs are available beyond No. 2 overall compared to two. The Raiders have done work on each passer, having already met with Will Levis. They will be the first team to host Anthony Richardson as well. That Richardson meeting is set for Friday.
In recent mock drafts, both Mel Kiper Jr. and ESPN colleague Todd McShay have Young going to the Texans at the No. 2 pick. Frame concerns notwithstanding, Young is viewed as a safer bet compared to Richardson or Levis. Young threw 47 touchdown passes during his 2021 Heisman season, adding 4,782 passing yards. The two-year Crimson Tide starter sits No. 1 on both NFL.com and ESPN.com’s respective big boards.
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