assessing the QB choices available to the Raiders in the 2024 NFL Draft

Even though Aidan O’Connell finished his rookie season well following Antonio Pierce’s appointment as acting head coach, the Las Vegas Raiders still plan to try to add a starting quarterback in the 2024 NFL draft.

The Raiders “would like to trade up” from their current first-round position at No. 13 overall, according to Vic Tafur of The Athletic.

Although Tafur remained silent on whether they wanted to trade up for a quarterback, they currently find themselves behind three teams that are probably interested in a signal-caller. The Denver Broncos (No. 12) and Minnesota Vikings (Nos. 11 and 23) also appear ready to advance.

After taking over as head coach on a full-time basis on January 19, Pierce has expressed his desire for new general manager Tom Telesco to pursue a long-term quarterback with vigor.

The Raiders may try to acquire Jayden Daniels by taking a significant risk and trading up in the draft. Between 2019 and 2021, when Pierce was a member of the coaching staff, he was an Arizona State player.

They met at the NFL scouting combine and had nothing but positive things to say about one another. To move up as high as the Raiders would probably have to in order to have a chance at picking the current Heisman winner, a sizable offer would be required.

Daniels is ranked No. 3 overall by B/R’s NFL scouting department, with the New England Patriots. Throughout the pre-draft process, he has been linked to the Washington Commanders with the second pick on multiple occasions.

Naturally, Pierce has also endorsed J.J. McCarthy of Michigan wholeheartedly. If the Raiders decide to make a trade, at least he’s making sure Telesco has options.

The Raiders selected O’Connell in the fourth round of the 2023 draft. As a rookie, he started ten games and had some promise towards the end of the season, finishing with 853 passing yards, eight touchdowns, and no interceptions in his final four games.