Las Vegas Raiders: 2024 NFL Draft class could bring next franchise QB
By Brad Weiss
The Las Vegas Raiders have a big decision to make at the quarterback spot this offseason, but looking long-term, the answer should come in 2024.
After nine seasons as the starting quarterback for the Raiders franchise, Derek Carr will call a new place home in 2023. The franchise leader in nearly every passing category, Carr’s run ended when he was benched late in the 2022 season and has already said his goodbyes to Raider Nation.
Now, the team will turn to the new man up at the position group, and in 2023, it should be a veteran. Guys like Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers will be available and would give the franchise a two-year window to bring a young player in to take over in possibly 2025 and beyond.
Looking at this year’s draft class, Las Vegas may want to hold on before drafting a quarterback, bringing Jarrett Stidham back to be the backup to whatever veteran they can add. In 2024, they may want to take a big run at some of the key quarterback talent in that draft class, as some have franchise quarterback written all over them.
Raiders should dip into a deep 2024 QB class in the draft
Going into the 2024 NFL Draft, the big name will be Caleb Williams, who is coming off a Heisman Trophy-winning season at USC this past year. Williams will go into 2023 with a ton of hype, as he tries to become the first back-to-back Heisman winner since Archie Griffin back in the 1970s.
However, Williams is not the only potential star at the position group, as Drake Maye has been outstanding since becoming the starting quarterback at UNC as a freshman. Michael Penix Jr. has dominated since transferring to the University of Washington, and both Quinn Ewers and Bo Nix have seen their draft stock rise after a strong 2022 campaign.
Another big name to keep an eye on is CJ Stroud, as he has yet to declare for the 2023 NFL Draft, and the deadline is today, Monday, January 16, 2023. He may declare by the time this piece is run and will be the No. 2 quarterback in the 2023 class, a spot he would assume if he goes back to school as well behind Williams.
Overall, Las Vegas would be wise to wait for one more draft cycle before finding the player who could spend the next ten-plus years as the starter.