Antonio Pierce has expressed candidly that he would like to acquire a long-term quarterback option this offseason. Throughout his 11-year tenure as general manager of the Chargers, Tom Telesco, had franchise quarterbacks in charge. This would advise the Raiders to take all necessary steps to choose a starting-caliber arm in this draft.
However, the group owns the thirteenth overall pick. The Texans traded for another first-round pick, giving the Vikings possession of Nos. 11 and 23. The Broncos have their first Round 1 draft slot in three years at No. 12 overall, but they do not have a second-round pick. Raiders may have trouble getting up high enough to outmaneuver the Vikings because the Bears, Commanders, and Patriots will almost certainly choose a passer in the top three.
It’s also not a guarantee that every important player in the Las Vegas structure wants to assemble a sizable trade package in order to select a quarterback. According to Tony Pauline of Sportskeeda.com, Pierce is in favor of doing so, but Telesco is “leaning heavily” in favor of keeping with Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell. Telesco has the last say on the Raiders roster. While Telesco has undoubtedly conducted 11 drafts to zero, Pierce should be anticipated to exert significant influence prior to his first draft as head coach.
Jayden Daniels, who joined Arizona State while Pierce was on the Sun Devils’ staff, has a tight relationship with the Raiders. Daniels and Pierce have stayed close, even spending time together in the Raiders’ locker room following their victory against the Broncos in Week 18. The Commanders and Patriots provide a glaring roadblock to Las Vegas’ desire to move up for Daniels, a player they referenced during their OC search, according to a recent report. The Raiders thought Vegas had inquired about moving up from 13, and a report out of the Combine verified that Vegas had been trying to move up. Naturally, the Raiders had Daniels scheduled to visit.
Though making that transaction could cost two future first-round picks, Mark Davis has given his OK. Given the stream of links to Daniels, the Commanders’ choice of Drake Maye or J.J. McCarthy at number two may make things in Nevada very intriguing. In the event that the Raiders make a massive offer to move up to No. 3, that would force the Patriots to make a decision. Though the Pats are probably willing to trade down, the current talk is that New England will select a quarterback at number three. Reverting to 13 would essentially keep the Pats from participating in the Daniels-Maye-McCarthy division.
Bo Nix or Michael Penix Jr. may be available to the Raiders if they stay at number 13, even if Nix’s ties to the Broncos have surfaced throughout the draft build-up. According to Jordan Reid of ESPN.com, if the Raiders decide to go with a non-quarterback call at 13, a lineman or cornerback choice might be made. Reid notes that although there is still a need at cornerback—especially in light of Amik Robertson’s departure to Detroit—a Las Vegas tackle trade need to be taken into consideration.
