Former NFL GM Has Raiders Trading Down, Taking QB

The Las Vegas Raiders are projected to take Michael Penix Jr. in recent mock draft by former Vikings GM Rick Spielman.

Mar 2, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Washington quarterback Michael Penix (QB08) during the 2024 NFL / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The answer at quarterback is uncertain for the Las Vegas Raiders as the 2024 NFL Draft approaches later this month. Aidan O'Connell is considered QB1 after stepping into the starting role last November, but the Raiders recently signed Gardner Minshew to compete with O'Connell to be the starting signal caller.

There is also the question on what exactly the Raiders intend to do with the 13th overall pick.

Per CBS Sports, former Vikings general manager Rick Spielman teamed up with two-time Super Bowl champion Bryant McFadden and draft guru Ryan Wilson for a joint mock draft. In the mock, Spielman and co. have the Raiders trading spots with the Dallas Cowboys, who currently hold the No. 24 pick, and selecting former Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr.

"The Raiders trade down, then make Michael Penix Jr. the fifth QB off the board," Spielman said.

Spielman said Penix is the best deep-ball throwing quarterback in this year's draft class.

"Very experienced, six-year player," he said. "[The Raiders] have Davante Adams, and now [they] got a quarterback that can actually get the ball 30-plus [yards] down the field to him? This was a no-brainer for me."

Penix was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy last season, having led the FBS with 4,903 passing yards while tossing 36 touchdowns. He led the Huskies to the national championship against Michigan but fell short of the title in a 34-13 loss to the Wolverines.

Penix played at Indiana for four seasons but ended each season with an injury. He still managed to earn second-team All-Big Ten honors in 2020 despite an ACL injury that forced an early end to his season. Penix Jr. would transfer to Washington and throw for over 4,500 yards in each of his last two collegiate seasons.

A lingering concern about Penix Jr. is the injury history. Our Hondo S. Carpenter Sr. expressed concerns about the injuries on the "Las Vegas Insider Podcast."

"He [Penix] is a great talent," Carpenter said. "He is everything you want in a quarterback," Carpenter. "Except four season-ending injuries."

Penix visited the Las Vegas Raiders on 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.

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