The Las Vegas Raiders are not making the playoffs in 2024. Sorry if any of you very optimistic people out there in Raider Nation still think there is a way. Sure, mathematically it is still possible, but when you watch this team, you see there are so many issues that need fixing, and they won't be fixed anytime soon. And, that's okay, this team was never going to contend for a championship. Now, they can finally start the search for their franchise quarterback.

It takes a certain guy to be the franchise quarterback for the Raiders. You have to love the fan base, no matter how much they may turn on you. You have to love the culture and history. And, you have to be willing to do whatever it takes to win a championship, because this team is hungry to get back to the postseason, as they haven't won a playoff game in over 20 years.

Luckily, there are a few guys in this draft that fit that profile for the Raiders. They currently stand at the No. 7 overall pick if the season was to end today. I personally think they will move up, as their remaining schedule is brutal, with really only a few winnable games like games against the Los Angeles Chargers, New Orleans Saints, Jacksonville Jaguars, and maybe the Denver Broncos, who are on fire right now.

But, if they were to pick at No. 7, I think the perfect quarterback is waiting for them. Here is the seven-round mock draft, the first of the season for the 2-6 Raiders:

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Raiders' 2024 Mock Draft

Round 1

Cam Ward, QB, Miami Hurricanes

Ward is the perfect quarterback for the Raiders at this very moment. Between him and Shedeur Sanders, who was available when io picked him, Ward is the more pro-ready guy at this moment. Now, if those two are both available when the Raiders pick, they will go with Sanders. He has a relationship with Tom Brady, a good one, too.

But with Ward, he is maybe the best quarterback in college football right now. He can make every throw, and use his legs, and he has that passion you need to be a Raiders quarterback.

Here is A to Z Sports' Rob Gregson who covers the draft, on why he thinks this pick is perfect:

No matter what happens the rest of the season in Vegas, it’s clear that a new QB is priority number one for the black and silver. The free agent class is lacking and the incoming draft class doesn’t boast a ton of premier prospects at signal caller outside of one or two guys. One of them hails from the University of Miami and is perhaps the most dynamic talent in the country rn, QB Cam Ward. Currently a Heisman hopeful, Ward has a play style and personality that meshes perfectly with the gem of the desert. He makes flashy plays with elite arm talent, terrific mobility, and a moxy-swag that is unmatched. A franchise desperately searching for energy and notoriety, the selection of Ward will give Vegas real hope for the first time since they moved from Oakland.

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Round 2

Tre Harris, WR, Ole Miss

The best wide receiver in college football, statistically, could be available in round two due to this really being his only amazing season. He had never hit over 1,000 yards before this season, but gotten close the two seasons before, and is already at a career-high in receiving yards this year in fewer games.

He is great but also suffers from playing in a great offense where he is getting at least 12 targets a game, it feels like. Harris is a player that the Raiders could use to start building an offense around with Brock Bowers, Tre Tucker, and Jakobi Meyers. After Davante Adams left, they have desperately missed that route running and play-making.

And, if you're going to draft a quarterback, he's going to need to have plenty of weapons.

Here is Gregson on Harris:

After trading away Devante Adams, the Raiders need a new #1 WR on the perimeter. A true X WR, Ole Miss WR Tre Harris can win a variety of ways and is dominant as a physical presence thanks to his 6-3, 210-pound frame.

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Round 3

Tahj Brooks, RB, Texas Tech

The Zamir White experiment did not work this season, and, some called it before the season even started. This scheme is not made for big bulky players like himself who struggle with jump cuts. Free agent signee Alexander Mattison has been their second biggest bright spot on offense behind Bowers, and that's not a good thing to be saying.

They will need to target an RB, and Brooks is a good one to go for. He can play in the backfield as a runner and can come out as a pass catcher. He has struggled a bit in pass pro, but there are definitely traits to work with. This would be a great pick for the Raiders, in which they desperately need their Josh Jacobs back.

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Round 4

Jaeden Roberts, OG, Alabama

The Raiders have struggled at their interior offensive line positions this year. Even Jackson Powers-Johnson, who will be a great IOL in this league, hasn't been great. But, he's a rookie. To me, they shouldn't have re-signed Andre James to such a big contract. Maybe a one-year extension would have been nice because I believe that JPJ's best position is at the center.

With Dylan Parham being out, the Raiders have been struggling at the other guard position, and the center position hasn't been great either. Getting a guy like Roberts gives them an option to slide in as a starter if he's good enough, if not he will be a great depth piece.

Here is Gregson on Roberts:

While Vegas might opt for flash-at-skill positions in the early rounds, building through the trenches is never a bad idea and a road grading presence from Alabama is a good place to start. Offensive guard Jaeden Roberts fits the bill as someone who can bring a forceful intensity to a line and a team that needs to find an offensive identity.

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Round 5

Billy Bowman, S, Oklahoma Sooners

Bowman was one of the best safeties in college last season. And, this year hasn't been the best season for him, but he's not been bad by any means. But, you could argue that he isn't the best safety on his team right now, so that may make him drop down a bit. There's a chance he isn't even available in the fifth round. But if he is, the Raiders have to jump on the opportunity.

With Marcus Epps, who suffered a season-ending injury, and Tre'Von Moehrig both in contract years, the Raiders surely won't bring both back. They will let one walk, and they may ride with Isaiah Pola-Mao as a starter for 2025. But, they will likely still draft at least one more to battle with Trey Tucker for that position that Pola-Mao was in this year before Epps' injury.

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Round 6

Kam Alexander, CB, Oregon

Much like Bowman, Alexander could definitely not be available in the sixth round, but I'm being a bit optimistic here for the Raiders. He's a good CB, and the Raiders may want to draft another to build up a great young group. Jakorian Bennett looks great this year, but rookie Decamerion Richardson has really yet to play due to injuries.

They may want to think about another stab at a late-round guy.

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Round 7

Kaimon Rucker, EDGE, North Carolina

The Raiders don't need an edge, but after seeing the crazy injuries that happened this year at the position, their lack of depth was very glaring and stood out. With the injury that Koonce sustained, and him being in a contract year, there is thought that he could not return, or he wouldn't be the same.

Hopefully, he does and is, but they may want to be prepared for anything. Rucker is nothing crazy, but he could be that depth piece they really need for 2025.

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With the season still going on, and five weeks still left in the regular season for the college season, these rankings and where players will get drafted could be very off. That's what happens when you do mock drafts so early, as a lot will change between now and the draft.

But, this is a good starting point. Much of these players could rise up draft boards, or fall, between now and then. In a perfect world, this wouldn't be a bad draft class for what the Raiders need. And, that's not even all of their picks, as we still aren't sure what the conditional pick will be from the Davante Adams trade with the New York Jets, even though we can assume it won't be a second-rounder.

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