Raiders NFL Draft Prospect: QB C.J. Stroud, Ohio State

The Las Vegas Raiders are officially moving on from long- standing franchise quarterback Derek Carr, and might have to look into the 2023 NFL Draft to find his replacement.

Raiders General Manager Dave Ziegler and his staff will be tasked this off-season to find players to improve a roster that finished with a 6-11 record this season.

If Ziegler does not get his starting quarterback during free agency, expect the Raiders to select a quarterback in this year’s draft.

Meantime, we’ll be working alongside SI’s Draft Bible to get you the latest information on any potential quarterback prospects that the Raiders might consider drafting.

“We’re going to continue to find players who fit what we look for, and continue to build this team in our vision, and I think we’re going to, at the same time, our goal is to win football games, and our goal for next year is to make an improvement over where we were this year,” Dave Ziegler said.

Quarterback C.J. Stroud, Ohio State Buckeyes

The cards are lining up for Ohio State Buckeye C.J. Stroud to land in the hands of the Silver and Black with the seventh overall pick.

However, it has been noted that the Raiders are not expecting to draft a quarterback in the first round of this year’s draft.

Their plan is to bring in a win-now veteran quarterback via a trade or free agency and draft one in the later rounds that they can develop.

If it doesn’t go as planned, drafting one early wouldn’t be a problem, especially with the quality of quarterbacks available in the draft's first round.

“A mature, highly intelligent, pocket-passer who makes smart decisions, does a phenomenal job of reading through his progressions and understands when to add zip or touch,” Draft Bible said of Stroud.

The 6-3, 215-pound quarterback completed 257-of-390 passes (65.9 percent) for 3,684 yards and 41 touchdowns and six interceptions during the 2022 season.

The 21-year-old Ohio State quarterback led the team back to the College Football Playoffs and left an impressive mark after posting 348 passing yards with four touchdowns and no interception against defending national champion Georgia.

“Known as the first one in, last one out, Stroud possesses all the intangibles that NFL decision-makers seek from a franchise quarterback—head coach Ryan Day has praised his work ethic and professional approach to the game on a daily basis,” Draft Bible added.

Raiders Coach Josh McDaniels can get a quarterback he can mold and install his system early on should Stroud come to Las Vegas.

Stroud’s quick trigger and pinpoint accuracy appeal to the coaching staff that is ready to win now but also look into the franchise's future.

The Raiders might consider drafting a player of his caliber if they do not land their quarterback in free agency.

The 2023 NFL Draft is set to begin on Thursday, April 27, with the start of the first round. The NFL Draft will occur at Union Station in Kansas City, Mo., ending with rounds five to seven on Saturday, April 29. ESPN, ABC, and NFL Network will broadcast all seven rounds.

The NFL Scouting Combine is Feb. 28-March 6, 2023, held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind. March 7, 2023, before 4 p.m. EST, is the club's deadline to designate Franchise or Transition Players.

March 13-15 is the free agent negotiation period. During the time starting at 12 p.m. EST on March 13 and ending at 3:59:59 p.m. EST on March 15, clubs are permitted to contact and enter into contract negotiations with the certified agents of players who will become Unrestricted Free Agents upon the expiration of their 2022 Player Contracts at 4 p.m. EST on March 15.

The 2023 NFL Year and Free Agency period begins at 4 p.m. EST on March 15. The Raiders are expected to be significant players in the free-agent market this season.

Watch the NFL Playoffs live when you get your Raiders tickets from SI Tickets HERE.

Please tell us your thoughts when you like our Facebook Page WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE.