Could Raiders make sneaky move to grab a QB in Round 1?

The NFL draft is upon us and with it comes the traditional speculation regarding movement within the draft order. The Las Vegas Raiders are viewed as one of those teams who could be trading up or down in Round 1.

Las Vegas holds the 13th overall pick. While some mock drafts have them selecting a quarterback, the Las Vegas Review-Journal views it differently. At No. 13 it has the Raiders taking cornerback Terrion Arnold from Alabama. 

“This is a tough call," the Review-Journal's Adam Hill wrote. "The Raiders need a quarterback, but the top four guys are gone. They could consider an offensive tackle, but the case for Arnold is easy. He’s arguably the best player still available and plays another position of need for the Raiders. The bond between him and coach Antonio Pierce also appears genuine.”

While the need at QB is immense, selecting Arnold at No. 13 is far from a bad move. Especially when it’s likely he won’t make it too far past that pick. However, the Raiders might not be done on Day 1 if they opt against drafting a QB at No. 13. 

In a move that’s sure to anger some old-school Raider fans, Hill believes Las Vegas could trade back into the first round by making a deal with the San Francisco 49ers. The Niners currently own the 31st pick and aren’t opposed to moving off that pick. 

“The other first-round trade is a big one," Hill continued. "The Raiders could jump at the opportunity to add (Washington QB Michael) Penix before the first night of the draft is over, which would give them an extra year on his rookie contract. Questions about Penix’s health make it far from certain he’ll be taken in the first round. But there’s an awful lot to like about him as a person and prospect.”

Should this scenario play out, the Raiders could walk away from Round 1 of the NFL Draft with a potential defensive cornerstone and franchise QB. After parting ways with Jimmy Garoppolo this offseason, the Raiders currently have Aidan O’Connell, Gardner Minshew and Anthony Brown on the QB depth chart. 

Garoppolo started six games for Las Vegas in 2023 finishing .500 (3-3) on the season. O’Connell started 10 games in which the Raiders also played .500 football. The Raiders finished the campaign 8-9 overall but managed to win three out of the last four games on the schedule under then-interim head coach Antonio Pierce.