Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Are Raiders planning on trading up and selecting a Florida QB?

By Clark Dalton | Last updated 4/2/23

Although the Raiders recently signed QB Jimmy Garoppolo, the possibility that they will select another QB in the draft remains.

Per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, Las Vegas (No. 7 overall) could be interested in trading up for Seattle's first-rounder (No. 5 overall) to target Florida's Anthony Richardson.

"There's a buzz about Seattle and Richardson. Now, the scouts I talked to believe it, but they also wonder if Seattle's trying to trade back," Fowler said Sunday on "SportsCenter" via Bleacher Report. "I've talked to some teams who are watching the Raiders there."

Additionally, Las Vegas has followed Richardson throughout the draft process. On Thursday, GM Dave Ziegler and assistant GM Champ Kelly met with the 20-year-old QB during his pro day. Per the Las Vegas Review-Journal's Vincent Bonsignore, he "impressed" the pair.

The @Raiders - led by GM Dave Ziegler and Assistant GM Champ Kelly - spent time with Florida QB Anthony Richardson at his Pro Day. By all accounts, the meeting went well and the Raiders came away impressed.
— Vincent Bonsignore (@VinnyBonsignore) March 30, 2023

Even though Garoppolo has a 40-17 starting record, he's missed 31 games with injuries over the past five seasons and has never made a Pro Bowl, raising questions about his ability to carry a team.

Consequently, Ziegler recently said the Garoppolo signing "has not changed our philosophy at all," and Las Vegas will consider drafting a QB.

The 6-foot-4, 244-pound QB is a boom-or-bust prospect since he only completed 53.8 percent of his passes in 12 starts last season. However, he displayed tremendous athleticism at the combine setting a vertical jump record (40.5 inches) for QBs.

"In the right situation, and with the right coach, Richardson could be the perfect QB for the modern NFL," wrote The Athletic's Nick Baumgardner.

The Raiders could be a good situation for Richardson, given that six-time Pro Bowl WR Davante Adams is a marquee player who can elevate a QB's game. Also, he doesn't have to play immediately, thanks to Garoppolo's presence.

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