If the cards fall in their favor, what the Las Vegas Raiders do in round two will be the easiest decision ever
We are in Vegas, right? So why not use a casino analogy for an entire article? In this case, it's all about the 2024 NFL Draft for the Las Vegas Raiders. They need to nail this if they want to take that next step. However, a lot of that is about getting lucky, as it […]
We are in Vegas, right? So why not use a casino analogy for an entire article? In this case, it's all about the 2024 NFL Draft for the Las Vegas Raiders. They need to nail this if they want to take that next step. However, a lot of that is about getting lucky, as it is for most teams. Which players fall to you, and which players don't? That's luck.
We have already talked about the perfect scenario for the Raiders in the first round, that is if they can't trade up for Jayden Daniels or one of those other top guys. So, how do the Raiders get lucky in the second round?
Well, if the cards fall in their favor, the second round could be the easiest decision ever. Michael Penix, one of the best quarterbacks in the class, could be staring right at them.
The Raiders need a quarterback, especially soon, as their roster is pretty nearly ready to be a contender outside of that one position and a few others. They need a guy who can turn around their franchise and be the face of it as soon as possible. But it's very likely that those players are only in the top three of the draft, so they may have to settle for a guy who can be good enough in the future.
That's where Penix comes in. He was one of the best quarterbacks in college football last season and took his team to the National Championship. He has some of the best ball placement in the draft and is being slept on as an overall athlete, even though his recent pro day was astonishing with a 4.46 40-yard dash and a 37-inch vertical. His strengths are what make him a very intriguing prospect.
Penix has huge hands and falls in the 94th percentile in hand size, which is good for handling the ball, gripping it, and not losing fumbles on sacks. He has a strong arm and is aggressive when pushing the ball downfield. Penix throws with enough velocity to hit deep posts between two high safeties, which you must be able to do in the NFL.
He throws away from the coverage on back-shoulder fades and shows some flashes of elite ball placement, and maybe some of the best in the class. Penix also flashed the ability to avoid pressure, maneuver the pocket, and reset his launch point. Now, he does have some weaknesses, too, so don't think he is perfect.
Penix was a 6th-year Senior with a brutal injury history. He had four consecutive season-ending injuries. He had limited arm elasticity and struggled to make off-platform throws in the face of pressure. Penix needs to throw with a better touch over the middle of the field.
He has a low release point, which resulted in some batted passes. Penix is inconsistent with his deep accuracy, missed high on a lot of throws, and left big plays on the field. He sometimes drifts backward in the pocket and creates easy angles for edge rushers.
The Raiders need a guy who can be the face of the franchise. Now, he has a ceiling of that, but he has a floor that is also very good for what the Raiders need.
5 biggest Raiders draft needs for 2024
These are the biggest needs by far.
