The Raiders are expected to take a quarterback in this year’s draft, but there’s a good chance the addition of Geno Smith means that quarterback won’t come until day 2 of the draft or later.
Multiple beat writers covering the team have said they don’t anticipate the Raiders taking Shedeur Sanders with the no. 6 pick, but who do they like among the next tier of quarterbacks that includes players like Jalen Milroe and Jaxson Dart?
The Athletic’s Tashan Reed wrote on Wednesday about the Raiders’ quarterback options and shared what he is hearing on the team’s evaluation of a few quarterbacks projected to go in the middle rounds of the draft.
“The Raiders currently own pick No. 37 in the second round and pick No. 68 in the third round. The most intriguing developmental prospects [at quarterback] who could be available in that range are quarterbacks Jaxson Dart, Jalen Milroe and Tyler Shough, but it’s possible that none of those players are still on the board when the Raiders come on the clock in Round 2,” Reed reported on Wednesday.
“Milroe, in particular, would garner Day 2 interest from the Raiders if he’s still there, according to team sources,” Reed continued. “The next tier of quarterbacks includes Quinn Ewers, Kyle McCord and Will Howard. Among that group, the Raiders are highest on Ewers, according to team sources.”
For what its worth, Reed isn’t the first to report on the Raiders interest in Ewers.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero hinted strongly two weeks ago that Ewers could end up in Las Vegas.
“Quinn Ewers’ [visiting] Vegas, that Pete Carroll meeting, I would just say file that one away,” Pelissero said. “I don’t know. The Saints certainly are a possibility there. Write it down and don’t check the odds on it because I can’t give gambling advice.”
Pelissero said it was just his “opinion” that Ewers would be a fit in Vegas, but his platform is different than a lot of the talking heads and tweeters on social media. It’s a safe bet (or should be, at least) that his thoughts are based on more than a gut feeling.
One way or another, answers are coming soon.
x: @raidersbeat
Milroe can’t hit the broad side of a barn with the football!