When it comes to finding a long-term solution at the quarterback position, the Las Vegas Raiders have been historically bad at it. We saw yet another example of that during the 2024 campaign.
After an uninspiring quarterback competition between free-agent signing Gardner Minshew and incumbent Aidan O’Connell, the Raiders went with Minshew as the starter, only to see him fail miserably. Former head coach Antonio Pierce later admitted he regretted that decision.
O’Connell later took the reins after Minshew was benched for poor performance and was no doubt better, but that’s not saying much. In reality, O’Connell still hasn’t proven he’s the long-term answer in Las Vegas.
The Raiders desperately need to stop trying to put a band-aid on the problem and find a young quarterback who can be a solution for the long haul.
In his latest mock draft, CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso has the Raiders addressing their massive need by trading up to No. 1 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft and selecting Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders.
“We cannot rule out the possibility of the Raiders — and new minority owner Tom Brady — making an aggressive push to draft Shedeur Sanders,” he wrote. “There’s a chance Sanders’ connection with Brady will make it too dicey for Las Vegas to simply hope and wait for him to fall to No. 6 overall.”
Trapasso does not reveal the package the Raiders would have to trade, but one can assume it will cost multiple first-round picks and more.
Sanders, who compiled 151 total touchdowns during his collegiate career, has been linked to the Raiders for several reasons. However, he is widely considered the second-best quarterback, at best, in this year’s class.
The top signal-caller is thought to be Miami’s Cam Ward, so drafting Sanders with the No. 1 overall pick would be a dicey decision. But we can’t rule it out since minority owner Tom Brady is reportedly a big fan of the Colorado product.
Trading up from No. 6 to grab a quarterback might be very difficult for the Raiders because of the way the draft order is situated. Along with the Tennessee Titans, who hold the No. 1 overall pick, the Cleveland Browns (No. 2) and New York Giants (No. 3) are also ahead of the Raiders and need a quarterback.
It’s very possible the Titans plan on sticking and picking to get their quarterback, but even if they don’t, having the Browns and Giants in the mix is going to drive up the price to get to the top spot.
Safe to say, the Raiders will have a hill to climb if they want to trade up to No. 1 and get their pick of the lot of quarterbacks, but don’t rule out Brady and Co. getting super aggressive as they look to set the franchise up for the long term.
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