Report: Raiders to Select QB

The Las Vegas Raiders recently added quarterback Gardner Minshew to compete with Aidan O'Connell, but they may still be in the hunt for another quarterback.

The Las Vegas Raiders announced their plans to have Aidan O'Connell battle for the starting quarterback position next season. At the time, the Raiders had yet to announce who that battle would be with, as they hadn't added a new quarterback to their roster. 

The Raiders then signed former Indianapolis Colts starting quarterback Gardner Minshew. The veteran quarterback has experience starting many games in the National Football League and should be a solid addition to the Raiders' quarterback room. It is expected that O'Connell and Minshew will compete for the starting position.

With his history of being a competent starter and a quality backup in the league, Minshew gives the Raiders a quarterback who can either push O'Connell to new heights while competing for the starting position, or he could win the competition, and the Raiders would have a starting quarterback with experience O'Connell doesn't have. 

The Las Vegas Raiders could use the 13th overall pick on quarterback Michael Penix / © Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports

Either way, the Raiders still have the 13th overall pick in the draft, and with the wise moves they've made in free agency so far, they now have the flexibility to draft one of many positions on draft day, including quarterback. 

While many have hoped and suggested the Raiders trade up for one of the top quarterback options in the draft, Las Vegas is likely out of range to do so without mortgaging its future. However, it could stay where it is in the draft and still land a talented quarterback.

NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah believes the Raiders will use the 13th overall pick on a quarterback.

"The Raiders signed Gardner Minshew to compete against Aidan O’Connell," Jeremiah said. "However, I don’t think those two quarterbacks have the ceiling that Penix does in the NFL. There’s an assumption that Penix is more of a second-rounder, but I believe his skill set is a unique fit for the Raiders’ style of play."

Assuming the Raiders either draft a cornerback later in the draft or sign a quality veteran cornerback, they could very well land Penix and give their quarterback room an even more considerable boost. 

The NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Mich., on April 25-27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders currently have the No. 13 overall pick.

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