The Las Vegas Raiders will enter 2024 with a quarterback room of sophomore Aidan O’Connell and free agent signing Gardner Minshew II, who led the Indianapolis Colts to a surprise 9-8 finish last season.
Ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft, many projected the Las Vegas Raiders to use their first-round pick on a QB. But the top six prospects (Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, Michael Penix Jr., JJ McCarthy and Bo Nix) were all gone when the Raiders picked at No. 13.
Las Vegas used their first-round pick on Georgia tight end Brock Bowers, who was ranked a top-five prospect by many scouts and analysts.
If Minshew and O’Connell are both unable to solidify themselves as a capable starting option in Sin City, the Raiders will have the opportunity to find a new quarterback in the QB-heavy 2025 NFL Draft
Pro Football Network’s Ian Cummings recently published an early 2025 first-round NFL mock draft. There, he projects the Las Vegas Raiders to get their new quarterback in Houston’s Donovan Smith:
“Right now, (Carson) Beck is the runaway preliminary QB1 of the 2025 NFL Draft class, but there are a few under-the-radar prospects in the early-round conversation on my initial board. Donovan Smith is one of them, and in this mock, he heads back home to Las Vegas.
At 6’5″ and 235 pounds, Smith is an athletic mover and an adaptable passer who quietly flashes high-end anticipation, situational precision, and pocket navigation skills. If he can cut down on occasional ill-advised decisions, his ceiling is incredibly high.”
— • Colton Edwards • (@cedwardsNFL) May 24, 2024How do we feel about Houston QB Donovan Smith? 2025 #NFL Draft Prospect.
– Quick release and good arm flexibility/angle freedom that allows him to attack multiple release points.
– Can generate velocity on short/intermediate throws effortlessly.X: Stares down his first read… pic.twitter.com/xuy6khZ1mf
In his first year at Houston, Smith completed 64.5 percent of pass attempts for 2,801 yards, 22 touchdowns and 13 interceptions to go along with 428 rushing yards and six touchdowns.
Las Vegas Raiders Are A QB Away From Emerging As Contenders
The Las Vegas Raiders finished 8-9 last season despite lackluster quarterback play from Jimmy Garoppolo (released this offseason) and O’Connell.
Las Vegas had a top-10 defense last year, and they have plenty of offensive playmakers in Bowers, Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers, Michael Mayer and Zamir White. If they could find stability at QB, this team could easily emerge as a contender in the gauntlet that is the AFC.
We’ll see if Las Vegas can get by with a quarterback tandem of O’Connell and Minshew. Otherwise, they’ll certainly target a new signal-caller next year via free agency, trade or the draft.
