What if a scenario materialized where the Las Vegas Raiders could get back into the first round near that end and grab their quarterback? Let’s face it, general manager John Spytek is going to be under intense scrutiny to deliver a masterclass next year. It was obvious that the synergy between him and head coach Pete Carroll just wasn’t there. Spytek’s rookie class was clearly better than what fans originally thought.
The rookie class clearly showed promise with more playing time in the latter part of this challenging season. Nonetheless, the Raiders are in urgent need of a quarterback for their future. In addition to that, they require a variety of other positional players.
What about getting Maxx Crosby some help in terms of the paltry and meager pass rush? It’s possible that the Raiders could trade back into the late first round—by doing so, their top pick (second or third overall, for example) could be used to draft another impact player.
Here’s one scenario to consider, Raider Nation.
- TRADE: Raiders receive the 29th overall pick, Bears receive the 34th overall pick, and a ’27 3rd round pick.
Round 1: Rueben Bain Jr., Miami, EDGE
Let’s be honest: the Raiders can take this top pick in a dozen directions. Fernando Mendoza is tempting, sure, but Rueben Bain Jr. is the kind of game-wrecker who finally lightens Maxx Crosby’s load. Las Vegas needs talent on defense, and Bain offers exactly that—an instant-impact pass rusher with real fortune-shifting upside.
Bain is the kind of edge rusher who makes offensive tackles reconsider their career choices, but the Raiders find themselves facing a familiar draft-day dilemma: do they take the sure thing at a premium position, or do they finally stop overthinking quarterback?
Bain’s tape is a highlight reel of controlled violence. His first step is disruptive, not just fast, putting offensive tackles into survival mode from the snap. His bend is elite, with low hips and flexible ankles that let him corner before protections can adjust. He closes space like a heat-seeking missile and chases down plays with range that outperforms his frame.
Add in his natural strength, and Bain becomes a problem for any blocking scheme. He converts speed to power cleanly and wins with a varied toolbox—swim, chop-swipe, club and bull rush. His hands are heavy and precise at the point of attack, and his understanding of leverage lets him play bigger than he measures. He has worked everywhere from 7-tech to 4-tech and flashes the lateral movement to thrive on stunts at the next level.
Why should the Raiders draft Bain?
Well, the motor never stops. Bain diagnoses run concepts, stacks and sheds with discipline, and chases plays from sideline to sideline as though cardio were a competitive advantage. His year-to-year development shows genuine football IQ rather than pure reliance on athleticism.
But Bain is not without his flaws. He can be inconsistent timing his hands, leaving rush opportunities on the table. He gambles against the run and occasionally loses control. His arm length and height will concern evaluators, and those limitations will not magically disappear against NFL tackles with 34-inch reach.
Still, Bain projects as a multi-season, double-digit sack producer if deployed correctly. He checks every box the Raiders should be searching for opposite Maxx Crosby, especially with Malcolm Koonce and Tyree Wilson stuck in neutral.
Round 1: Ty Simpson, Alabama, QB
Ty Simpson’s rise at Alabama has become one of the most intriguing quarterback stories of the season, but the question hanging over the Raiders is simple: is he the next long-term answer, or just the latest late-season infatuation for a franchise that cannot afford another miss?
Simpson arrived at Alabama with the pedigree of a coach’s son and the processing skills to match. After waiting behind Bryce Young and Jalen Milroe, he has rewarded the patience with a breakout first season that includes a 21-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio and a near-115 passer rating. Those numbers reflect more than system help; they point to a quarterback who sees the field cleanly and operates with real command.
His edge comes from his mind and mechanics. Simpson diagnoses coverages pre-snap, manipulates defenders with his eyes, and moves through progressions with rare speed. His release is quick, his base stable, and his accuracy consistent at all levels. He layers throws with touch, placing the ball over linebackers and away from safeties, and maintains poise in the pocket while climbing to avoid edge pressure.
But there are real questions. Simpson has only one year of real tape. Scouts want to know whether this is who he is or simply a well-timed heater. His arm strength is adequate, not elite, and the deep ball can flutter enough to force receivers to slow up. He is 6-foot-2, 215 pounds—sturdy, but not the prototype who wins the weigh-in.
Why should the Raiders draft Simpson?
For the Raiders, the intrigue is obvious. Simpson checks every box this staff claims to value: processing, poise, accuracy and the ability to run an offense without turning Sundays into chaos drills. He is the rare college quarterback who looks like he has actually read a playbook, making him the anti-project this franchise keeps pretending it wants.
If Las Vegas trades back into the first round and finds a muddled board, Simpson becomes a real discussion. The risk is there, but so is the upside—and the Raiders eventually have to decide whether they want a quarterback who can run the offense or just another lottery ticket they hope turns into one.
*Top Photo: Getty Images