Two Las Vegas Raiders insiders believe that the team will miss out on 2025 NFL Draft quarterback prospects Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward, much to the chagrin of fans wanting one of those players.
According to Tankathon, the Raiders (4-12) would pick No. 8 if the 2024 NFL season were to end today.
“I think there’s a good chance that those three guys won’t happen for the Raiders,” The Athletic’s Vic Tafur said of Ward, Sanders and Minnesota Vikings starter Sam Darnold on the “Just Win” podcast this week.
Darnold could be franchise tagged by the Vikings (14-2) after a career resurgence.
Tashan Reed of The Athletic also said the draft is “not super attractive” but that there could be quarterbacks in the second round who could be an option for the Raiders to push Aidan O’Connell in training camp.
Reed, however, feels Jameis Winston of the Cleveland Browns could be an option for the Raiders, but admits he’s not a “clear upgrade” and went so far as to say Winston had better games than O’Connell.
Another name that was brought up was Pittsburgh Steelers backup Justin Fields, and Tafur mentioned trading for Detroit Lions backup Hendon Hooker or Trevor Lawrence of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
“How about the Jags if they clean house from the front office?” Tafur wondered. “That’s a guy I think might be an option.”
The Raiders are days away from a long offseason when they will decide what to do with head coach Antonio Pierce and evaluate college quarterbacks in preparation for the draft.
The next several weeks are critical for the Raiders because fans are tired of losing seasons. They want immediate results, and Raiders owner Mark Davis must make the right moves this time around, but it is expected he’ll get help from minority owner Tom Brady, who is not used to losing.
Just maybe the Raiders are headed in the right direction. After all, Raiders general manager Tom Telesco hit a home run with the selection of tight end Brock Bowers, who set records in the Raiders’ 25-10 win over the New Orleans Saints in Week 17.
He just needs a quarterback who can throw it to him. Will it continue to be O’Connell or someone else? A long offseason, and perhaps some answers, await for the Raiders.
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