“Things did not align” for Las Vegas to leave the 2024 Draft with a first-round quarterback
HENDERSON — Las Vegas Raidersit can be safely said now, they maintained a philosophy of “Jayden Daniels or nothing” when it came to negotiating a move up the draft order to draft a quarterback in the first round during last week’s NFL draft.
And, having fallen Michael Penix Jr. in his lap in the No. 13 pick, without a move-up trade materializing, might have been fine, too. In fact, the analyst of the NFL for ESPNMel Kiper Jr., reported during the broadcast of the first round that the Raiders They tried to ascend to take Penix.
Gardner Minshew signed a two-year, $25 million deal with Las Vegas in free agency. AP Photo/Darron Cummings
However, the Washington Commanders they chose Daniels in the No. 2 position, after Caleb Williams was selected No. 1 by the Chicago Bears. Drake MayeNo. 3, left later, at New England Patriots, and the Atlanta Falcons They turned the draft on its head when they chose Penix at No. 8, despite having recently signed Kirk Cousins in free agency for 180 million dollars, with more than 100 million guaranteed. J.J. McCarthywho left in the 10th place, and Bo Nixwho left at No. 12, quickly followed.
Los Raidershaving witnessed six quarterbacks being chosen before their turn at No. 13 — something that had never happened in the history of the draft — were surprised to find their “best available player” there waiting, tight end Georgia, Brock Bowers. Although tight end wasn’t at the top of his list of needs, which started with –yes–, quarterback.
So unless Tom Brady decide to come out of retirement — hey, you loved those multiple tight end formations, didn’t you? — the Raiders are set to begin training camp with a battle for the starting job between second-year quarterback, Aidan O’Connellwho held his own well down the stretch last season, and the veteran drifter Gardner Minshewin his fourth team since 2020 after signing for two seasons and 25 million dollars in free agency, including 15 million guaranteed, with Las Vegas.
Los Raiders They also have Anthony Brown Jr. on roster, as well as the undrafted rookie Carter Bradley of South Alabamawho signed minutes after the draft ended.
Editorial Selections
So, with how much conviction, seriously, did the Raiders move up the order of first round picks?
“Not too much, in particular,” revealed the general manager of the Raiders, Tom Telesco. “We explored it…we had some sort of plan to go up if the opportunity was there. It wasn’t there. We moved on.”
In fact, the Raiders They didn’t make any trades in any of the seven rounds of the draft, coming up with eight players — a tight end, two offensive linemen, a pair of cornerbacks, a running back, a safety and a linebacker — but, obviously, no quarterbacks.
Telesco admitted that he wasn’t particularly interested in taking a quarterback after the first round, echoing the former NFL running back’s sentiments. NFL, Ricky Watters, “By whom? For what?”, to the notion of adding a passer. “On the third day? No,” he declared. Telesco. “Not really on the second day. First day? Yeah, but not after that.”
Sure, the Raiders have used first-round picks on a quarterback only five times in their history —Roman Gabriel (1962), Eldridge Dickey (1968), Marc Wilson (1980), Todd Marinovich (1991) y JaMarcus Russell (2007)–. Los Raiders They only had two quarterbacks —Penix y Nix— among his 30 official visits prior to the draft.
Aidan O’Connell closed his debut campaign positively after arriving in the fourth round of the draft in Las Vegas. Quinn Harris/Getty Images
“If we felt that a quarterback out there was better than what we had, or could potentially be better, we certainly would have done something about it,” he added. Telesco. “But, things didn’t line up.”
Having said that, the Raider Nation isn’t exactly taking over The Strip to celebrate a battle between Rod Farva and Uncle Rico’s doppelgangers for the starting quarterback position.
But, Silver and Black fans aren’t about to chain themselves to the Tropicana, about to be demolished, in protest, either.
In fact, the typical bridge quarterback battling a guy who’s becoming a bridge quarterback isn’t the worst thing in the world for a team that’s destined to reload its defense in the fall. No when O’Connell He already has the respect of the locker room, the most powerful arm, and as the head coach said Antonio Piercehas earned the right to compete for a starting position in the NFL. Then this Minshewwho is probably a better talent collectively, and provides an option with better mobility that fits the NFL today, and who has experience in the league.
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But, both quarterbacks start from the same floor, the ground floor, since Las Vegas releases scheme authored by the new offensive coordinator Luke Getsy.
How’s this for a projected starting offense with a 12-base personnel (one running back, two tight ends)? L.T. Kolton MillerLG Dylan ParhamC Andre JamesRG Jackson Powers-JohnsonRT Thayer MunfordTHE Brock BowersTHE Michael MayerWR Davante AdamsWR Jacob MeyersRB Zamir Whiteand a quarterback to be determined?
Yes, there are still multiple moving pieces, and that’s a good thing for O’Connell –who went 5-5 overall last season while throwing for 2,218 yards on 213 of 343 attempts (62.1 percent) with 12 touchdowns, seven interceptions and a 40.5 QBR– when it comes to noise from outside
“I just don’t pay attention to it,” he proclaimed at the start of the team’s offseason program. Raiders. “I don’t watch it, I don’t read it. And yes, I’m definitely going to be naive. I think ignorance is definitely bliss, and that’s what I’m doing.”
Thrown into the fire after being the final fourth-round pick in last year’s draft, O’Connell experienced his fair share of ups and downs as a rookie, hitting rock bottom when the Raiders were shut out 3-0 by the Minnesota Vikings in Week 14. But, he finished hot, throwing eight touchdown passes without an interception in his final four games.
Minshewmeanwhile, defeated the Raiders in Week 17 with the Indianapolis Colts and led the Colts to a 7-6 record as a starter last year. He finished the season completing 305 of 490 passes (62.2 percent) for 3,305 yards, 15 touchdowns, nine interceptions and a 59.6 QBR. Minshew has a career record of 15-22 over five seasons, with 9,937 passing yards, 59 touchdown passes, 24 interceptions and a 50.8 QBR.
“It will be competitive,” he said. Minshew when he signed with Las Vegas. “I think they’re going to try to put together the best group of quarterbacks they can. No promises are made. I don’t want guarantees — I just want an opportunity — and I’m looking forward to the opportunity I have here.”
Fans hoped, or hoped, that the Raiders They came out of the draft with a highly regarded rookie quarterback. He wasn’t in the cards. At least, not this year.
2024-05-03 00:44:29
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