NFL Analyst Shares High Praise for Aidan O'Connell
Las Vegas Raiders rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell has caught the attention of the national media after impressing through his first two preseason games.
In his first two game, O’Connell has completed 26-of-36 passes for 304 yards and three touchdowns, and the Raiders have won both games.
The fourth-round rookie has been lauded for his excellent play around the NFL media landscape, including Pro Football Focus Head of Football Product Steve Palazzolo, who has really liked what he’s seen from O’Connell.
“He just hasn’t missed a throw yet,” Palzaaolo said on The Ross Tucker Podcast. “He’s been incredible, big time throws, smooth working within rhythm, outside of rhythm, on time, accurate. Aidan O’Connell is one of those guys when you watched his best plays at Purdue, he looked like a first rounder.
“His best plays at Purdue, it was like: ‘Man, this dude can do it all.’ But his worst plays, he looked like, you know, an undrafted free agent who should never see the field. So, I’m waiting to see more and more evidence for O’Connell, but he just looks very comfortable right now. We know preseason stats don’t matter a whole lot, but it’s his comfort level, his accuracy, his ability to deliver the ball. Aidan O’Connell has been maybe the best quarterback in the entire preseason in the NFL.”
O’Connell has shown why the Raiders thought so highly of him coming out of Purdue. His accuracy, quick decision making and mistake-free football have all been on display through the first two preseason games.
O’Connell has not looked like a rookie quarterback. He is looking comfortable in the pocket, seldom rushed with advanced footwork, and has not turned the ball over. He has been one of the most impressive players throughout the preseason.
While it is true that preseason stats do not matter in the grand scheme of the regular season, what has made O’Connell so impressive is the fact that he looks so advanced already, and has made very few mistakes.
O'Connell's high level of play has not gone unnoticed on the national stage, and he will look to continue this play as he takes on the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday.
The Silver and Black return to preseason action when they play the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Aug. 26, at 8 p.m. EDT/5 p.m. PDT.
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