Can Broncos Or Raiders Leave Round 1 Without A New QB? (NFL Draft 2024)
NFL Draft 2024

Can Broncos Or Raiders Leave Round 1 Without A New QB?

USA TODAY Sports
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The Denver Broncos (No. 12) and Las Vegas Raiders (No. 13) are both entering the 2024 NFL Draft with sizable needs at quarterback. Neither team is expected to position themselves to select Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels, or J.J. McCarthy, seeing that all three prospects project as top-five selections. Given those unfortunate circumstances, the Broncos and Raiders may feel pressure to force a quarterback pick at No. 12 or 13.

With no second-round selection at their disposal, the Broncos lack the draft capital required to move up for a quarterback. The QB-needy Minnesota Vikings, who currently own picks 11 and 23, are better positioned than the Raiders to get themselves into the top five. That means the Raiders and Broncos could be choosing between the fifth and sixth consensus quarterbacks, Michael Penix Jr. and Bo Nix.

The Broncos may feel a particular sense of urgency to select a quarterback. They severed ties with Russell Wilson earlier this offseason, releasing him in a move that left behind a historic amount of dead money. The Broncos surprisingly haven't entered the market for an affordable veteran quarterback, leaving Jarrett Stidham as the placeholder starter.

Additionally, where are the Broncos going to select a quarterback if not at No. 12? Penix Jr. and Nix aren't likely to remain available when Broncos general manager George Paton is scheduled to make his next selection at No. 76 overall. The lack of interest shown in free-agent quarterbacks like Ryan Tannehill indicates the Broncos intend to draft a signal-caller. Unless the Broncos include an abundance of 2025 draft capital, including a first-rounder, they’re not acquiring another top-32 pick in April.

The Raiders are in a less desperate situation. They signed veteran journeyman quarterback Gardner Minshew to a two-year contract worth up to $25 million. That's low-level starting quarterback money, which is exactly what Minshew is. He's a bridge-type quarterback that can keep the team competitive. That’s better than what Denver has. Minshew posted a career-best 7–6 record as a starter with the Indianapolis Colts last season.

New Raiders general manager Tom Telesco and head coach Antonio Pierce have the luxury of time. Whereas Broncos GM Paton is entering his fourth season and Sean Payton (who undeniably has more leeway) is in his second campaign in charge. The Raiders also own picks No. 44 and No. 77, which could potentially be packaged to move back into the latter half of the first round to draft Penix Jr. or Nix if they consider No. 13 a reach.

Knowing that they could potentially acquire a second first-round pick should prevent the Raiders from forcing a quarterback at No. 13. The aforementioned Minshew offers a fallback option as well. The Raiders have larger positional needs than quarterback that should take first-round priority given the amount of talent expected to be available.

Offensive tackle and cornerback are massive needs for the Raiders. It’s plausible that they could draft the first cornerback, either Terrion Arnold or Quinyon Mitchell. Wouldn’t that be more prudent than drafting the fifth or sixth QB?

The Raiders could also consider a plug-and-play right tackle, where Thayer Munford Jr. is currently slated to start. Right tackles such as Amarius Mims, JC Latham, and Taliese Fuaga should be available. Building a roster for an eventual franchise QB would be a wise move.

The Raiders and Broncos are entering the 2024 NFL Draft both needing long-term answers at quarterback. Ironically, they own back-to-back picks outside the expected range of the top quarterbacks. The Broncos should feel pressure to draft a quarterback at No. 12.



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