The quarterback position is omnipresent for the Las Vegas Raiders at this year’s draft—they both need one and need to get after the opposing ones on defense. Adding to the pass rush is never a bad thing.
With Antonio Pierce now established as the field boss, it’s up to the man upstairs, new general manager Tom Telesco, to hit a couple of home runs in the draft. That’s especially true in the early rounds.
While Raiders fans cling to the hope of Jayden Daniels putting on the Silver and Black, a more plausible scenario exists. While Raider Nation may not want to hear it, drafting a signal-caller other than Daniels could be a realistic outcome.
Now, getting after the likes of Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert is just as important as getting the quarterback position situated. That being said, enough with the preamble—let’s get to this mock draft.
Raiders 2-Round Mock Draft: Getting After The Quarterback
Round 1: Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
Sorry, Raiders fans, Daniels just isn’t realistic. To expect Telesco to swing for a blockbuster trade isn’t practical given his lack of such moves in his previous run with the Chargers. Still, though, don’t fret. Luckily for the Raiders, this year’s quarterback class runs deep. This is where Michael Penix Jr. comes into play.
Worst-case scenario, the Raiders will be taking the fourth-best signal-caller this year. Let’s face it, you can have all the swagger you want with Pierce at the helm, but without a franchise quarterback, it’ll be for naught. Penix, the former Washington gunslinger, could duke it out with Aidan O’Connell for the right to start in training camp.
If Penix has no medical issues coming out of the NFL Combine, his status as a Day 1 prospect should be unimpeded. He possesses more than enough functional mobility to be a threat outside of the pocket. Conversely, Penix can carve out opposing defenses with notable vision. Also, let’s face it, the kid’s a competitor—something that Coach Pierce covets.
Round 2: Darius Robinson, EDGE, Missouri
While Malcolm Koonce emerged as a starting-caliber defensive end, loading up on effective pass-rushers is never a bad thing. If you keep Tyree Wilson inside and sharpen his strengths (namely his size and strength), you could have a remarkable rotation with Missouri’s Darius Robinson alongside Koonce and Maxx Crosby.
Missouri defensive lineman Darius Robinson starts the play with a nice jump off of the line. He then swims over the offensive lineman and finishes the play with a sack. (chef’s kiss) pic.twitter.com/x4vsk68QtD
— Mase (@caliking49er17) February 13, 2024
Robinson is already an elite run defender, with an imposing physical presence at the point of attack. Pro Football Focus echoes the same sentiment, grading him 81.4 in that department. In terms of pass rush, Robinson needs to work on his move set. Nevertheless, his raw power makes his bull rush admirable. He’ll do fine against mid- to lower-tier offensive tackles in the NFL.
Telesco believes in building from the inside out; beefing up the trenches and plugging in Robinson would certainly follow suit.
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