The quarterbacking strategy of the Las Vegas Raiders is still up in the air as the 2024 NFL Draft approaches. The organization might elect to hold off on selecting a quarterback until later in the draft due to the abundance of holes on the squad.
that’s not a good idea. Michael Pratt of Tulane is one quarterback whom the Raiders may be able to select in later rounds. Pratt was the AAC Offensive Player of the Year in 2023 and saw success in college, but his limited upside makes him an uncertain match in Las Vegas.
“Pratt has the tools to be a valuable NFL backup and spot starter, and he’ll make sense for plenty of franchises.”
He won’t, however, probably pass O’Connell in the depth chart or emerge as Las Vegas’ long-term quarterback. It is not necessary for the Raiders to pursue their QB3 on draft weekend; instead, they can and should try their hand at the quarterback position later in the month.
Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew excel at protecting the football and making accurate throws from the pocket, and Pratt accomplishes the same thing. It would be better to add a quarterback with more athletic upside if the Raiders are willing to take a chance on one.
Derrik Klassen of the B/R Scouting Department stated of Pratt, “His toughness, touch accuracy and moderate athletic ability should help him keep the ship afloat in a pinch.” Pratt’s lack of elite qualities and inconsistent decision-making, however, restrict his potential.
The likelihood grows that Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. will be selected by the Raiders in the first two rounds if they choose to select a quarterback. Though Max Chadwick of Pro Football Focus projects them to select Penix with the No. 13 pick, he could still be available to the team in the second round.
In a mock draft on April 8, Chadwick wrote, “The 1983 NFL Draft set the record for the most first-round quarterbacks, with six hearing their names called.” Not only is there a good likelihood that this class could tie that record, but all six of them might place in the top 15.
Although Michael Penix Jr., who turns 24 in May, has already experienced two consecutive torn ACL injuries in his career, he has the potential to be a fantastic NFL quarterback. He’s not regarded as a top-10 pick because he’s not a sure thing and has some warning signs.
The Raiders are in a difficult situation because there are other NFL clubs that are in need of a quarterback right now and they will not be able to select until No. 13. They might have to wait until the following year, when fewer teams should be expected to select quarterbacks at the top of the draft, in order to search for their franchise quarterback.
