Raiders reportedly zeroing in on this QB ahead of NFL Draft

Michael Penix Jr.

With LSU’s Jayden Daniels seemingly out of the picture, the Las Vegas Raiders may be eyeing another quarterback before the NFL Draft on April 25.

“There’s been a lot of chatter in the QB community, real or not, that the Raiders do like [Washington’s] Michael Penix Jr.,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter said Monday on a SportsCenter special with draft gurus Field Yates and Mel Kiper Jr. “The Raiders would’ve loved to find a way to get Daniels, we all agree. How do you get from [pick] No. 13 to No. 2 to get Daniels? It’s gonna be impossible to make happen.”

Tanakthon projects that the Washington Commanders will take 2023 Heisman winner Daniels with the second overall pick.

Raiders owner Mark Davis reportedly gave general manager Tom Telesco and head coach Antonio Pierce permission to make a move in the draft. However, Washington desperately needs a franchise QB and probably won’t trade down to the 13th slot.

In his latest mock draft, The Athletic’s Vic Tafur notes Penix-Raiders “whispers” are growing louder, but he would not take him at No. 13. Regardless, some coaches love the 23-year-old.

“Penix is my No. 2 guy,” one AFC coach said, via Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. “He’s a stud, a born leader, calm and collected and in a genuine way. He’s a baller. He turns it loose, can throw it into tight windows. He stands in the pocket, lets plays develop, takes hits, throws it down the field. He’s just a winner.”

Penix — who finished second in Heisman voting in 2023 — could be a solid consolation prize for the Raiders, and Las Vegas would be a good landing spot for him.

The Raiders have second-year QB Aidan O’Connell and signed Gardner Minshew II (two years, $25M) in free agency, meaning Penix wouldn’t have to play immediately. Las Vegas wide receivers Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers could also help a young passer excel.

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