You just know the Las Vegas Raiders have something up their sleeves.
Sitting with the #13 overall pick in the much-anticipated NFL Draft, the Raiders are in decent position.
However, with a new era of sorts upon the franchise, Vegas would love to make a splash.
We know the Chicago Bears will draft USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the first-overall pick.
However, there’s a feeling that the next two picks could potentially be availble in a trade.
The Washington Commanders hold the #2 overall pick, while the New England Patriots sit with #3.
Reigning Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels is considered the solid favorite to be drafted by Washington. Whereas, the Patriots aren’t quite as convinced of what they’ll do. (Although Drake Maye is thought to be their likely pick.)
There are reports that the Patriots are more than willing to trade their pick – but only for an “unprecedented deal.”
The Commanders aren’t thought to be as eager to move out of the second spot. Although, they most likely share the same mindset as New England as long as they are truly blown away by a trade package.
With Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew currently on the roster, the Raiders aren’t in quarterback hell by any stretch of the imagination.
However, you can bet that owner Mark Davis and company would love to bring a true franchise quarerback onboard.
Multiple reports indicate that Vegas would be satisfied to sit tight at #13 and draft Washington Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr.
You can certainly envision the strong-armed Penix slinging the deep ball in a Raiders jersey, that’s for sure.
However, there are also reports that Vegas would love to trade up – potentially into the top-three – to draft Daniels.
The connection between Daniels and new Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce adds intrigue to the speculation.
Having spent three years together at Arizona State, the two know each other very well.
While there is some concern over his slender physical build, Daniels is coming off a tremendous season at LSU (where he transfered to following his time with the Sun Devils).
Multiple teams at the top of the draft – including Washington and New England – think very highly of Daniels.
For the Raiders to trade all the way up to #2 or #3 (most likely #2 to be safe), it’s going to cost quite a haul.
Having said that, the Raiders are no strangers to aggressiveness.
Coming off more bad drafts than they’d like to admit, there’s nothing Vegas would love more than to find a true superstar quarterback who they can build around.
With Pierce now in charge, there figures to be just a little more paitence around the organization compared to the past few seasons under former head coach Josh McDaniels.
Star wide reciever Davante Adams and All-World pass rusher Maxx Crosby have made it clear they are both believers in Pierce and the direction the franchise is headed in.
Having said that, everyone knows you need a quarterback to get to where you really want to go.
What do you think the Raiders should do in the draft?
Should they stay at #13 and draft Penix?
Or should they trade up to grab Daniels???