The quarterback conundrum looms ever-present for the Las Vegas Raiders; that’s not news. Still, could Michael Penix Jr. be the answer? One beat writer familiar with the team believes that the No. 13 pick might very well contain the former Washington Huskie’s name.
As of today, if the season got underway, the Raiders would roll out Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew as the team’s signal-callers. Whether it’s a collective groan or sigh, the group doesn’t exactly instill fear in opponents. The Raiders’ defense has garnered most of the offseason’s attention, and rightfully so, as this unit will likely determine the team’s success in the upcoming season. At the same time, one has to wonder if either O’Connell or Minshew are truly the “answer.”
This begs the question: is Penix worth the “gamble” at No. 13 when there could be other playmakers available, namely a franchise offensive tackle or game-changing defensive back?
Should the Raiders go with Michael Penix Jr. or address another position of need?
According to The Athletic’s Vic Tafur, there seems to be a growing noise that Penix could very well be the pick. Not through a trade scenario where general manager Tom Telesco trades back into the first round for a second player, as some suggest—no, rather, Penix would be the outright choice at 13.
“The whispers are getting louder that the Raiders just might take Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. [with the 13th overall pick]. Penix’s stock has risen since he had clean medicals at the NFL Scouting Combine. He has the best deep ball in the draft but, in our book, is still a bit of a project mechanically to be taken this high.”
If we’re honest, no NFL team (the Raiders included) will show you their hand this close to the NFL Draft. Especially not to beat writers, but at the same time, Tafur’s certainly familiar with the team, and that should account for something. Let’s face it, Penix made the most of his appearance at the NFL Combine, where he drew rave reviews. It’s also true that, barring a blockbuster trade, the Raiders would be out of the sweepstakes for Jayden Daniels.
Maybe Penix would be the pick, if anything, just out of desperation. Either that or Telesco (as would head coach Antonio Pierce) displays their ultimate faith in the two quarterbacks they already have in-house.
If they go with the latter, maybe OT or DB will be the choice next week.
*Top Photo: Steph Chambers/Getty Images