Raiders Select Aidan O'Connell With No. 135 Overall Pick
The Las Vegas Raiders made it known before the 2023 NFL Draft that selecting a quarterback was not out of the question.
On Saturday, they made it happen.
After trading the 144th overall pick and 214th pick to the New England Patriots for the 135th pick, the Raiders used said pick to draft Purdue quarterback Aidan O'Connell.
O'Connell finished his college career as Purdue's all-time leader in completion percentage at 66.7 precent. He comes off consecutive seasons in which coaches named him to the All-Big Ten Second Team after he passed for 3,000-plus yards in both campaigns.
In 2022, O'Connell totaled 3,490 passing yards (second-best in the conference) and 22 touchdowns, leading the Big Ten in passing yards per game (290.8) and completions per game (26.7). He would lead the Boilermakers to an appearance in the Big Ten championship game, where Michigan ultimately defeated them.
The season before, O'Connell posted 3,712 passing yards and 28 touchdowns. He played four seasons at Purdue, beginning his career as a walk-on.
Overall, O'Connell passed for 9,219 yards and 65 touchdowns as a Boilermaker.
O'Connell is a native of Long Grove, Ill., having played high school football at Stevenson Highl, where he didn't start until his senior season. Then he set program records with 2,471 passing yards and 26 passing touchdowns.
O'Connell was among Las Vegas' Top-30 visits. The Raiders also attended his Pro Day.
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The 2023 NFL Draft will continue throughout the afternoon.
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