The Las Vegas Raiders may need to choose a quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft, but they must ensure they select the right one. Despite facing problems in that position, the team achieved an 8-9 record last season. If they can pick the right quarterback in the draft, they could make it to the playoffs this season.
Nonetheless, selecting the wrong quarterback could set the team back. Oregon’s Bo Nix might be considered by the Raiders, but Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine suggests that Las Vegas should steer clear of him.
“Nix is already 24 years old, so it’s reasonable to question if he has reached the peak of his development,” Ballentine wrote in an April 20 column. “His accuracy is good, but his potential is not as high as some of the other quarterback prospects in this year’s draft.
“The Raiders, a team in need of a quarterback, would be better off being patient. It would be wiser for them to stick with Gardner Minshew at quarterback for a year rather than taking a risk on Nix at No. 13.”
Nix established the NCAA record for completion percentage in a single season in 2023 at 77.45%. Although he has good accuracy, he lacks significant arm talent. The Raiders want to be able to throw the ball downfield, which is not Nix’s strong suit.
Bo Nix Poses Risk of Failure
Evaluating Bo Nix as a quarterback for the draft is challenging. His college statistics were remarkable, and he achieved considerable success at Oregon. However, Maurice Moton of Bleacher Report believes that Nix has a 75% chance of failing in the NFL.
“Despite an impressive college resume and ample starting experience, Nix could compete for a starting role on a team with an uncertain quarterback situation,” Moton wrote in an April 21 column.
“Yet, even with Nix’s impressive passing statistics, he lacks the 'it' factor in terms of arm talent. Nix’s mobility will aid him in evading pocket pressure, but beyond that, he seems to rely on the system rather than enhancing an offense with his playmaking abilities.”
The success rate of first-round quarterback picks is very low, and there is a possibility that six will be chosen this year. It is more likely that half of them will be disappointments rather than half of them becoming Pro Bowlers. Nix seems to be highly likely to be one of the disappointments.
Bo Nix holy crap pic.twitter.com/CQgLdgy4gb
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) October 3, 2021
Which QB Is the Best Fit for Las Vegas Raiders?
The most suitable choice for the Raiders is LSU’s Jayden Daniels. The team clearly wishes to acquire him, and there seems to be mutual interest. Head coach Antonio Pierce used to be his recruiting coordinator at Arizona State, and the two developed a rapport during that time. Daniels is likely to be one of the top three picks, so the Raiders would need to trade up to secure him.
Trading up to the top three will be costly. If Daniels is not an option, Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. makes sense. Unlike Bo Nix, he has a strong throwing arm and can pass the ball effectively across the field. He does have injury concerns, but if he can remain healthy, he could be a good fit for the Raiders.
