Raiders 2023 NFL Draft: No. 3 overall the goal if a QB is the priority on Day 1

The Las Vegas Raiders seem to be in the market for a Day 1 quarterback this April, but will they make the move they need to get one?

If there was one thing the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine taught us this year, it was that if the Las Vegas Raiders hope to get an elite quarterback in this year’s draft, they have to move up. The Silver and Black currently hold the No. 7 overall pick, and with only four big names at the position available this draft season, that spot won’t cut it.

This week, we saw the Chicago Bears move out of the No. 1 spot, trading down with the Carolina Panthers to the No. 9 overall selection. That means Carolina is definitely in the market for a quarterback, and with Houston picking at No. 2, expect two quarterbacks to go in a row to kick off the festivities on Night 1.

For the Raiders, if they hope to add one of the top-4 quarterbacks in the 2023 NFL Draft, the No. 3 spot in the draft has to be the priority as we inch closer to April.

Raiders have to move into pick No. 3 this April for their QB

We had spoken recently about CJ Stroud, the consensus top quarterback coming out this year, who put on an absolute throwing display during the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine. Stroud was viewed by us as the only quarterback worth moving up for, but looking at the rest of the field, that could certainly change.

Anthony Richardson and Will Levis also had outstanding Combines, and have the physical gifts that could make them impact players at the next level.

The Arizona Cardinals hold the No. 3 overall pick this April, and already have a franchise quarterback in Kyler Murray, so expect the bidding war for that selection to be a big one. The Raiders have the draft capital to move up, but with plenty of QB-needy teams this draft season, the Cardinals would be wise to drive up the price, especially as they turn to a new era of football this year.

Raiders 7-round 2023 NFL Mock Draft: Post-Scouting Combine Edition

Now that the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine has wrapped up, here is another seven-round mock draft for your Las Vegas Raiders.

Of course, maybe the Raiders are not in love with some of the big names in this class and will decide to go veteran this year at the position and dip into a deep quarterback pool in 2024. However, if Richardson, Levis, or Bryce Young are on their radar, David Ziegler better already be putting in the work to get one of them.