Raiders Rumors: Mark Davis Gives Blessing to Trade for QB ‘so Long as It Makes Sense’

Julia StumbaughApril 10, 2024

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Las Vegas Raiders general manager Tom Telesco and head coach Antonio Pierce have plenty of leeway in their search for the team’s next starting quarterback.

Team owner Mark Davis “has given his blessing for Telesco and Pierce to make a move, any move… so long as it makes sense,” ESPN’s Paul Gutierrez reported.

The Raiders hold the No. 13 pick in the 2024 draft but will need to trade up to snag any of the top quarterback prospects on April 25.

The Raiders have been “heavily linked” with LSU’s Jayden Daniels, who is projected by the B/R NFL Scouting Department as the No. 3 pick.

Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reported last month that the Raiders “have had exploratory talks on moving up into the top three.”

Even if the Raiders give up on their pursuit of Daniels, drafting an NFL-ready quarterback could necessitate a move up the draft board.

There is a “strong expectation” that four quarterback prospects could be taken in the top six picks, NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah reported in March.

That mix would include Daniels as well as USC’s Caleb Williams and UNC’s Drake Maye, plus another option like Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy, Oregon’s Bo Nix or Washington’s Michael Penix Jr.

The Raiders’ decision could hinge on McCarthy and “whether it gets to the point where the former Michigan QB won’t make it to No. 13 (which is certainly possible),” Breer wrote in March.

McCarthy’s draft stock has only climbed since then thanks to a strong performance at Michigan’s Pro Day and praise from new Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh. B/R scouts project McCarthy going with the No. 11 pick.

Telesco and Pierce will need to decide if the Raiders are willing to give up potentially valuable assets to snag one of the top available signal-callers, or if they’re comfortable sticking with Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew heading into next season.