Las Vegas Raiders can wait till late on day two of the 2024 NFL Draft to fix big dilemma
We all know the Las Vegas Raiders need a quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft. They have Aidan O'Connell and now Gardner Minshew, but neither of those guys is the face of the future. We know the Raiders want Jayden Daniels, but they may not be willing to trade up and get him. So, either […]
We all know the Las Vegas Raiders need a quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft. They have Aidan O'Connell and now Gardner Minshew, but neither of those guys is the face of the future. We know the Raiders want Jayden Daniels, but they may not be willing to trade up and get him. So, either way, it's pretty obvious the Raiders will be drafting a quarterback at either pick No. 13 or pick no. 44.
With a rookie quarterback, you need a great offensive line. If you look at the Raiders' current roster, I'm not so sure you can label it that yet.
However, here's the great news: they can fix that big dilemma late on day two of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Raiders should draft Houston OT Patrick Paul in third round
With Jermaine Eluemunor hitting free agency and ultimately getting picked up by the New York Giants, the Raiders need an offensive tackle. They have one in Thayer Munford, who was a seventh-round pick a few years ago. While Munford was good at times, much was left to be desired. He is raw and can be good, but it wouldn't hurt to go ahead and draft another tackle.
I have the Raiders doing that with their third-round pick. We know they will draft at least one offensive lineman because they need more guys to fill out their depth chart, but taking one in the third round gives you the ability to have the same situation you did last season with Eluemunor and Munford, as one played swing tackle in jumbo sets and one filled in if Kolton Miller was out.
As the 70th overall prospect in the draft on A to Z Sports' Big Board, Paul is projected to be drafted in the middle of the third round. Paul is great, and whether he makes it to the third round is a whole other story because of how many teams need a tackle. He has the potential to be really, really good, but the technical side of things still needs to be refined. In 2023, he had 11 quarterback hurries, four quarterback hits, and three sacks allowed. While those numbers aren't other-worldly, they are good enough to show your potential, especially when playing in the Big 12.
Here are some of his strengths and weaknesses:
STRENGTHS
- Enormous frame with 36+ inch arms
- Smooth/controlled kick slides & excellent pocket range
- Repositions hands as the play develops
- Can reach 2nd level landmarks & adjust path in open space
- Just 9 pressures allowed in 2023
- Loose ankles & quality play strength when anchoring
- Patient pass blocker. Doesn't overextend or fall for the 1st move
- Balanced shuffle to mirror pass rushers in both directions
- Length + foot speed gives him the ability to recover
WEAKNESSES
- Unrefined hand usage. Not completely raw, but punch timing/accuracy need work
- Punches wide/late & gives rushers access to his chest
- Stops his feet & leans into run blocks
- Will open hips & waist-bend prematurely vs. speed rushers
- Doesn't consistently finish or play with much edge as a run blocker
- Sometimes clicks his heels & narrows his base on reach blocks
- Still needs to improve hand technique after 5 years in college
- Needs to play with heavier hands. Initial punch is rarely impactful
If the third round rolls around and the Raiders still haven't taken an offensive tackle, and Paul is there, I'd expect them to take him. He is a guy that a team like the Raiders should not pass on in the third round.
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