2023 NFL Draft: CJ Stroud the only QB the Raiders should trade up for
By Brad Weiss
The Las Vegas Raiders are in play for a new signal-caller this offseason, and one quarterback went to the NFL Scouting Combine and dominated.
Since benching Derek Carr with two weeks left in the 2022 NFL regular season, the Las Vegas Raiders have seemingly been linked to every possible quarterback available. From Aaron Rodgers to Jimmy Garoppolo, to even Mac Jones, the Silver and Black seem to be a destination for multiple signal-callers this offseason.
However, the 2023 NFL Draft also brings some intrigue in terms of the position group, as there are at least four quarterbacks who could hear their names called in the top 10 picks. Bryce Young and CJ Stroud lead the group, followed by Anthony Richardson and Will Levis, four players who will be considered the future at the position for some franchise next season.
When looking at the list, Young’s size could be an issue at the next level, and Richardson and Levis are considered projects at this point. For Las Vegas, Stroud should be priority No. 1 if they are going to draft a quarterback this April, but he could be very tough to get.
If the Raiders hope to get CJ Stroud, they are going to have to pull off a miracle to move up from the No. 7 spot in the 2023 NFL Draft.
NFL Network insider Daniel Jeremiah was blown away by Stroud’s ability to throw the football, calling it one of the best performances he has seen at the Combine. That is high praise for the Ohio State product, a player who is rapidly looking like someone who could be the first to hear his name called this April in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Raiders looking high and low for a 2023 starting quarterback
The combination of Stroud’s physical gifts, the amount of winning he did at Ohio State, and his overall accuracy make him the QB1 of this draft in my opinion. He is someone who is a born leader, and Las Vegas has stated they want to bring in a quarterback this offseason, or possibly next, that is going to be with the franchise for the long-haul.
Stopgap options are also available this offseason, including guys like Jimmy G and Jacoby Brissett, but if the Raiders are going to give away assets to move up in the 2023 NFL Draft from the No. 7 spot, Stroud has to be the goal.
Anthony Richardson has also been impressive during the Comine, and Levis did throw a football 59 miles per hour. However, both players could be available when the Silver and Black pick at No. 7 overall, so if they are to trade up for a signal-caller, Stroud is the only one to do so for.