Significant Increase in QB Michael Penix Going to the Las Vegas Raiders in Recent Mock Drafts

The Las Vegas Raiders have the No. 13 pick and an uncertain future at quarterback. Two analysts have them drafting the Washington Husky QB Michael.

Draft day is around the corner for the Las Vegas Raiders. They hold the No. 13 pick. Heading into the 2024 NFL Draft, the Raiders have a shopping list -- the right side of the offensive line demands attention, and the cornerback group needs an upgrade. However, as April 25th approaches, many analysts have the Silver and Black grabbing their signal caller of the future.

Aidan O'Connell is the starter after stepping into the role as a rookie last November. The Raiders recently signed Gardner Minshew to compete with O'Connell -- but many believe that neither of the two are the answer and the Raiders should look to the draft to find one.

Former Washington Husky Michael Penix Jr. has been closely linked with the Raiders in the last few weeks. Penix played at Indiana and had four season-ending injuries before transferring to Washington. At Washington, he stayed healthy -- and threw for over 4,500 yards in each of his last two seasons with the Huskies.

Last season, Penix led the FBS in passing yards with 4,903, and had 39 total touchdowns -- he won the Maxwell Award and as the nation's top player and earned second-team All-America honors. Penix finished as a finalist for the Heisman Trophy and led Washington to the national championship game against the University of Michigan -- a 34-13 defeat for the Huskies.

In recent mock drafts, Rhett Lewis of the NFL Network and Max Chadwick of Pro Football Focus both have Penix going to the Raiders. Rhett is a fan of Penix to the Raiders.

"I love this fit. If not for the injuries, I believe we’d be talking about Penix in the same breath as the top three QBs. I think his pure arm talent is second to none in this class, and he has more athleticism than people give him credit for. He immediately becomes the best passer on the roster," Rhett wrote.

Chadwick had six quarterbacks getting drafted in the first 15 picks of his mock draft.

"Penix has NFL-level arm talent and was one of the best signal-callers in college football in each of the past two seasons," Chadwick wrote.

Both have the Raiders spending their first-round pick on Penix -- a departure from previous mock drafts that had Penix falling to Las Vegas in the second round.

Our Hondo Carpenter Sr. warned against Penix's injuries in an episode of the "Las Vegas Insider" podcast.

"It isn't about that he's got talent [...] he's got all that," Carpenter said. "[The worry] is about four season-ending injuries."

Penix visited the Raiders last Wednesday.

The NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Mich., on April 25-27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders currently have the No. 13 overall pick.

Ensure you follow on X (Twitter) @HondoCarpenter and IG @HondoSr 

Please let us know your thoughts when you like our Facebook page WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE.