It might be hard for the Las Vegas Raiders to obtain a top-10 pick if they intend to draft a quarterback early.

The team has two alternatives regarding the quarterback position: they can stick with Gardner Minshew and wait for a better quarterback, or they can look into later-round quarterbacks.

The Raiders should have access to players like Michael Penix Jr., a former quarterback for Washington.But maybe it’s too early to select him at No. 13. The Raiders’ Nos. 44, 77, and 112 picks would be sent to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for their Nos. 21 and 158 picks, according to a trade proposal made by Tashan Reed of The Athletic. Penix would be chosen by the Raiders with the No. 21 pick.

In a mock draft published on March 21, Reed stated, “The Raiders already have two quarterbacks who started double-digit games last year in Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell, but it’s unlikely the team views either as the long-term answer.” In light of this, the Raiders moved up to acquire Penix in an aggressive move. The 6-2, 216-pound quarterback had four injury-plagued seasons at Indiana before emerging as a star at Washington in 2022 and 2023. He possesses all the desirable intangibles—leadership, tenacity, and competitiveness—as well as an arm like a cannon. Despite his limited mobility and history of injuries, there are more positive aspects than negative ones. As a rookie, he will be 24 years old, but with the right growth, he can still get better. He wouldn’t be given anything, but ideally in 2024 he would emerge victorious in a competition against Minshew and O’Connell to start quarterback for the Raiders.

Is Michael Penix Jr. the Las Vegas Raiders’ Best Quarterback?

Draft stock for Michael Penix Jr. has been dispersed around. He was regarded as a first-round pick by most before a dismal performance against Michigan in the National Championship game. It is now anticipated that he might be available in the following round.

Penix has some level of risk. Although he may have the strongest passing game of any quarterback selected in the draft, he will just be 24 years old as a rookie and has already sustained two consecutive ACL tears. Having said that, he has excellent arm talent and is a proven winner. Although selecting him with the No. 13 choice would be too risky, the Raiders might want to consider taking a chance on him later in the draft.

The Raiders’ greatest need, aside from quarterback, is probably at cornerback. With the No. 13 pick, Tashan Reed helped the team choose cornerback Terrerion Arnold of Alabama.

“The prospect for Alabama is excellent and could be a starting cornerback on game day, which is not too bad of a consolation prize,” Reed wrote. “With Jack Jones playing the other cornerback position, Nate Hobbs at nickelback, Tre’von Moehrig at free safety, and Marcus Epps at strong safety, he would complete a formidable secondary (on paper).”

For the Raiders, selecting a franchise quarterback and a lockdown cornerback in the first round would be significant acquisitions. Although several of the clubs selecting before Las Vegas have more pressing needs, Arnold may be the greatest cornerback in the draft. The Raiders may find it too good to resist to select a prospect like Arnold at No. 13.