In the 2024 NFL Draft, the 13th overall pick is owned by the Las Vegas Raiders. In a revised draft, they advance in one area while improving in others.
The 13th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft is owned by the Las Vegas Raiders. In addition to needing to fill positions, the Raiders have uncertainty at quarterback.
The Raiders select Alabama offensive tackle J.C. Latham with their first pick in a recent mock draft conducted by NFL.com’s Chad Reuter. Latham started 27 games for the Crimson Tide as right tackle during his career. He was selected as a second-team Associated Press All-American last season.
Additionally, Latham was chosen for the first team of the SEC. Latham’s talent was praised by NFL commentator Lance Zierlein.
“Latham’s size, strength and talent give him a chance to become a heralded right tackle or Pro Bowl-caliber guard,” Zierlein wrote in his article.
According to Reuter, Latham would make a valuable addition to the Raiders.
“Latham’s huge frame and power off the snap in the run game belie his ability to slide laterally and widen his base in pass protection, making him a tough ask for defenders to beat with power or speed off the edge,” Reuter said.
In a recent episode of the “Las Vegas Raiders Insider” podcast, Hall-of-Fame General Manager Bill Polian talked with host Hondo S. Carpenter Sr. about the significance of locating excellent tackles early in the draft.
According to Reuter, the Raiders trade their fourth- and fifth-round picks with Carolina in the second round in order to advance to pick No. 33 and choose Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. Gardner Minshew, a recent addition to the Raiders, will challenge Aidan O’Connell, who assumed the starting role in November of last year.
Last season, Penix led his Huskies to the national championship and was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy. However, they would ultimately lose to Michigan. Zierlein compared Penix to quarterback Tua Tagovailoa of the Miami Dolphins, according to NFL.com.
Penix has a long history of season-ending injuries in college, which worries Zierlein despite liking his agility, arm power, and sophisticated passing skills.
Prior to moving from Indiana to Washington, Penix had four season-ending injuries. In his final two collegiate seasons, he passed for over 4,500 yards passing. Wednesday was Penix’s visit to the Raiders.
In their mock draft, Reuter’s team selects Auburn cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett with the Raiders’ third-round (No. 77) choice. Pritchett is considered to be a “slender outside corner who might have improved enough in off-man coverage for consideration in most coverage schemes.”
The Raiders receive their future signal caller, insurance for that investment, plus a defensive upgrade in Reuter’s scenario.
