Recent reports indicate that the Las Vegas Raiders are expressing a degree of dissatisfaction with the veteran quarterback options available in free agency, and are instead showing increased “interest” in a couple of second-tier quarterback prospects in the upcoming NFL Draft.
The next few months promise to be pivotal for Las Vegas. Following a third consecutive losing season, the team’s ownership opted for a significant organizational restructuring, parting ways with both head coach Antonio Pierce and general manager Tom Telesco after just one year.
With Pete Carroll as the new head coach and John Spytek as the general manager, the focus is now on rapidly revitalizing Las Vegas. To achieve competitiveness in 2025, a significant upgrade at the quarterback position is paramount. Fortunately, the Raiders possess the financial flexibility to pursue a top-tier quarterback in free agency and also hold a coveted top-10 selection in the upcoming NFL Draft, providing an opportunity to acquire a highly regarded quarterback prospect.
Las Vegas Raiders Not High On Sam Darnold
However, the Raiders appear to be leaning more towards the draft than free agency. As The Athletic reported following their unsuccessful pursuit of Matthew Stafford last week, “[Minority owner] Tom Brady and Spytek prioritized Matthew Stafford because they are not super high on Sam Darnold or the other potential free agents.” This suggests a preference for developing a quarterback through the draft rather than acquiring a veteran in free agency.
While some members of the Raiders’ coaching staff reportedly advocate for the acquisition of a seasoned veteran quarterback, the organization’s interest appears to be gravitating toward the draft. The Athletic has revealed the two young quarterback prospects who have particularly impressed the Raiders following the NFL Combine. Notably, these prospects are not Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward, who are often mentioned among the top quarterback prospects.
“The Raiders met with both Ward and Sanders — and several other quarterbacks, including Alabama’s Jalen Milroe, Texas’ Quinn Ewers, and Mississippi’s Jaxson Dart — at the combine,” The Athletic reported. “The team put a lot of stock into those meetings.
“According to league sources, the Raiders came away particularly impressed with Milroe and Ewers when going over X’s and O’s and film, though the No. 6 pick would be too rich of a slot to take either one.”
In April’s draft, the strategic option of trading down to accumulate additional draft capital while still securing a quarterback prospect they favor presents a very sound approach for the team.