The Raiders are known to have contacted the Commanders and Chargers about the Nos. 2 and 5 overall picks. It should then come as no surprise to hear the Silver and Black have reached out about the Cardinals‘ No. 4 selection as well.
Arizona has heard from Las Vegas about No. 4, according to ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano. The Cardinals are both setting a high price on their pick and not believed to want to move too far down the board. The Raiders holding No. 13 would complicate this, as it has complicated their long-rumored effort to climb to No. 2 for Jayden Daniels. With the LSU alum (and ex-Antonio Pierce Arizona State charge) likely out of reach, the Raiders’ path has become murky.
Teams view the Raiders as unlikely to move up for a non-Daniels quarterback, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones adds. Las Vegas made Daniels the centerpiece of a trade-up effort likely doomed by the 2023 edition’s strong finish. Pierce’s run as interim HC landed him the full-time job — as the first NFL interim boss to move to regular duty in seven years — but it also dropped the Raiders to an unfavorable draft slot. The team has been connected to Michael Penix Jr. as well, and mock drafts have indeed reflected this interest. Penix’s potential late rise aside, the Raiders may not need to trade up if they truly want the Washington standout.
Daniels has made it clear he is prepared to play for whichever team drafts him, but the dual-threat standout appears to have two destinations ranked above the team he will likely end up with by tonight. The 2023 Heisman winner, “in a dream world,” would end up with either the Raiders or Vikings, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini notes (subscription required). The Vikings also have been linked to interest in trading up for Daniels, and Minnesota — having made no secret, via actions and comments, about interest in acquiring a first-round QB this year — may be comfortable with more QBs compared to most teams.
In the Raiders’ locker room after their Week 18 win over the Broncos, Daniels has been linked to wanting to be a Raider for a bit as well. These hopes are not expected to deter the Commanders, who have been tied to the five-year college QB for a bit now. While Washington has Drake Maye and J.J. McCarthy fans in the building as well, GM Adam Peters is believed to be high on Daniels, The Athletic’s Jeff Howe adds.
The Commanders’ QB stance may also have changed as the pre-draft process dragged on. The team was believed to have been moving toward choosing Maye before the Senior Bowl, pro days and Combine, Howe adds.
It is unclear what changed the new Washington regime’s mind, as Daniels did not work out at the Combine or his pro day. The two passers famously visited, along with McCarthy and Penix, together earlier this month (Topfolf was also involved). The pre-draft circuit looks to have sold the new Washington personnel boss on Daniels, who enjoyed a far better 2023 season compared to Maye, who is more than two years younger. Peters was heavily involved in the 49ers’ call to draft Trey Lance in 2021; tonight represents a shot at redemption for the first-time GM.
One exec informed Howe he would not rule out a Daniels slide past No. 2. That scenario would add more intrigue to this draft’s expected QB-centric start, as the Patriots and Cardinals’ picks would suddenly become more valuable if Daniels were still on the board. But the purveying view hours away from Round 1 is Daniels is ticketed for D.C. This stands to leave the Pats with a Maye-McCarthy debate; both QBs are believed to have backers in Foxborough.
Not saying they should (they shouldn’t), but…if they can get to #4, they can get to #2. But, it will cost as much to get from #4 to #2 as it did to get to #4. Are they that sure on him?
It’s weird that Daniels keeps making goo goo eyes at the Raiders just because he and the coach crossed paths at some point, but I’m guessing that paying him millions of dollars will make him feel at home in DC, so if I’m WSH I don’t move off that pick for anything less than a record haul, especially because Vegas seems like they might be willing to make a mistake here.
It was more than crossing paths. He was his primary recruiter, and Pierce’s relationship with his mother of her buying plane tickets for recruits or something was the reason Arizona State got in trouble. He’s literally known him since he was like 15. Most people would rather go work for someone who has had that kind of faith in you for that long, especially considering that Washington still seems to be a cluster even with the new ownership.
Why would Washington move out of #2 when they 100% need a QB?
Washington spent the off season addressing the oline and adding some offensive players with the intention they’re taking a QB at 2.
Not trade down take a QB or trade down take a QB next year.
Unless raiders severely over pay to the point it’s madden with trade blocking turned off (3 1sts, 2 2nds, and a Maxx Crosby), Washington isn’t moving #2
Yep. Not only all of that, but they brought in Mariota as their veteran QB. Bringing in someone like Brissett or Minshew means you’re prepared to start the veteran. Mariota in 2024, not so much.
Maxx alone is worth moving up without the extra picks. He’s already elite and hasn’t even hit his full potential. Why would they trade maxx plus futre 1st round picks? Makes no sense. I can see your scenario and then add Jacobi meyers/Aidan. But maxx alone is worth the # 2 without extra 1sts. You’re getting a proven elite rusher who’s equal to anyone at his position in the NFL. He was also a finalist for DPOY. Bottom line he’s a raider and always will be so maxx is off the table IMO.
Hint: Thats the point RAS
Set an extremely high trade price.
If someone is dumb enough to meet it well alright. Dont pass up someone being dumb.
Washington doesn’t want to move. But if Raiders are dumb enough to give up all that for Daniels to reunite him with Pierce Washington would be stupid to pass it up.
As I said, I don’t think they should, nor do I think they will.
BUT…IF Vegas can trade up to #4, then WSH could trade back to #4 and still get a QB.
The only way they could or should consider that is if the Raiders want to make an insane offer, which is not inconceivable given their history, owner, this situation, etc.
I think the Raiders should move back, & collect picks this year and next. Let Minshew start but draft a developmental QB in late rounds. It allows AP to get a full season as HC and hopefully he will grow into the role. Then next year, w/ extra picks, go for a high end QB in the draft.
Not necessarily a ‘throw in the towel’ season, Minshew can keep them around .500, but building depth this year, gain experience and be ready to really compete for the AFC West in 2025. It’s more realistic in my opinion.
Next years QB class is nowhere near as good as this year.
Quite possible, I don’t scout/project a year’s out for the draft in terms of what positions will be loaded, but there’s plenty of recent history that 1 QB comes out of nowhere and crushes the season. Both Burrow and J Daniels are testament to that.
I just don’t get the idea of giving up so many picks for a 4th ranked QB either. What’s the point? I read a day or two ago that JJ’s stats against 4 ranked teams was something like a total of 350 some yards and 1-1 td/int. That’s mid round material, not trading up for in the first.
I can’t wait for tonight but I suspect that the whole Penix/JJ hype is purely smoke for the teams considering trading down to a QB hungry team. Chargers/Cardinals hysteria.
Agree.
“Next year’s draft of QBs isn’t as good as this years”
We say that about 90% of drafts. Haven’t even played a 2025 college season lol. At this time last year had Jayden Daniels come out he was a day 2 pick, now he’s in line to be #1 or #2. Just from 1 extra season.
Personally
Ewers, Sanders, Milroe, Ward, Mertz are a better overall group than Daniels, Williams, McCarthy, Nix and Penix Jr.
Plus you have some wild cards in Wiegmann out of TAM and Daniels from Kansas who had seasons cut short due to injury last year.
Sanders continues to improve I’d take him over Williams and Daniels if they were in the same draft.
Please review the “boom year” of Trevor Lawrence (2021).
Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, Trey Lance, Justin Fields, and Mac Jones were all selected in the first round, with Lawrence, Wilson and Lance going off the board one-two-three.
I don’t see a real stand out among the lot of 2024 quarterbacks. They are all deeply flawed, either in size/deep accuracy (Caleb Williams), durability/deep accuracy (Jayden Daniels), processing/accuracy (Drake Maye, JJ McCarthy), accuracy (Bo Nix), pressure/injury (Michael Penix), size/arm strength (Spencer Rattler).
Looks like an ordinary bunch of prospects, much like 2021 or 2019 (Kyler Murray, Daniel Jones, Dwayne Haskins the first rounders).
Pierce doesn’t have that long, which at least he’s aware of. Davis hasn’t kept any coach past three years, and he didn’t even really look for this guy. So he rightfully feels the urgency.
I agree with you on this. I’m on board with that 100%. People never bring it up but AP has a connection with Spencer rattler but the late round QB I’d like the raiders to get is Michael Pratt from Tulane. He’d be a great developmental QB. That kid even out dueled Caleb Williams
In the cotton bowl.
Vegas is in such a weird team building spot. They kept an interim coach and their roster has tons of major holes, but they also have a couple of superstars on the team. It’s hard to see a clean path to either contention or a tank. Which I guess means it makes some sense to swing big on a QB who can give them a clear sense of direction, but I’m not the most optimistic with this situation, much as I’d like to see Pierce thrive.
What are the holes?
They essentially are bringing back last years defense and they added the elite Christian Wilkins. They were a top 10 defense last year. Actually came in at #9 overall. They only lost Amik to the lions (of the regular contributors).
To add –
You see holes. I see players who aren’t superstars but produce. Ie Robert Spillane etc. just because they aren’t stocked with superstars doesn’t mean they have gaping holes.
The secondary has been flawed for several years, the O-Line could use an upgrade, especially for this QB room. Offense is pretty good outside QB and defensive line has been the best thing in the locker room for a few years. I wouldn’t say they have a ton of ‘holes’ but they could use some upgrades for sure.
Every NFL team has holes and requires upgrades. There’s only about five offensive lines which, even when healthy, can keep up with the current hard pressing edge rushers and blitz packages.
Yep. Everything that pundits parroted the Broncos were before last year Vegas actually is. They have a young hungry defense and really are just missing a QB to put them in the mix in the AFC to go with their offensive weapons. They need to shore up their offensive line, but the players they have left on that line were part of one of the best pass blocking units in the league.
For starters, right tackle, CB1, and QB are three of the biggest holes you can have.
Not that many holes on that roster except the glaring one. They have an emerging defense and offensive weapons that are as good as all but a handful of teams in the league. The stark change with coaching showed what a lot of their problem was the last two years.
McDaniels was a big problem, but their offensive line and secondary need more talent. I would argue their linebacker group and defensive line still do too.