The 2024 NFL Draft is fast approaching, and one of the biggest questions we have is how many quarterbacks will go in the first round and in what order they will be selected. USC’s Caleb Williams is probably the No. 1 overall pick, but what happens after that is anyone’s guess.
Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels are the favorites to go No. 2 and No. 3 overall in some order, and then comes the question of JJ McCarthy – whose stock appears to be soaring. The Minnesota Vikings have an additional 2024 first-round pick to offer in possible trade talks, but the Las Vegas Raiders and Denver Broncos could also consider quarterbacks. Could they stay and pick in the middle of the first round, trade up or even down and select a quarterback? According to a new report, the Raiders may have focused on their guy.
ESPN’s Matt Miller wrote this week that he heard the Raiders really like Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and might select him with their first pick at No. 13 overall. This is actually something that CBS Sports NFL draft expert Ryan Wilson predicted earlier this month: mocks Penix in Vegas at #13.
Penix is an interesting prospect who put together two solid campaigns after suffering season-ending injuries four straight years from 2018-2021 during his time at Indiana. After transferring to Washington, Penix posted back-to-back 4,600+ yard campaigns and was even a finalist for the 2023 Heisman Trophy.
Penix led the FBS in passing yards last season with 4,903, becoming the first Washington quarterback to accomplish that feat. He also became the first player since Patrick Mahomes to record multiple seasons of over 4,500 passing yards and 30 passing touchdowns. Penix has a big arm and led the FBS in completions (60) and touchdown passes (26) of 25+ air yards over the past two years. His 37 completions of 25-plus air yards in 2023 were the most of any FBS quarterback in the last five seasons.
At quarterback, the Raiders currently have Aidan O’Connell, who Vegas selected in the fourth round last year, and they also signed Gardner Minshew, formerly of the Indianapolis Colts. He reached the Pro Bowl last year after going 7-6 in place of Anthony Richardson, while completing 62.2 percent of his passes for 3,305 yards, 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions. However, the Raiders still appear to be in the market for a quarterback.