In the midst of their search for a franchise quarterback, the Las Vegas Raiders have reached out to the Washington Commanders ahead of Thursday’s 2024 NFL Draft in an attempt to acquire their No. 2 overall pick. Despite Washington general manager Adam Peters’ declaration that the team intends to retain their top selection, the Raiders, under the guidance of newly appointed GM Tom Telesco, have reportedly explored the possibility of a trade.
The Raiders underwent significant changes during the 2023 season, parting ways with head coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler. They also benched veteran quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in favor of rookie Aidan O’Connell, who went on to compile a 5-5 record in his starts. O’Connell, a fourth-round draft pick in 2023, threw for 2,218 yards, 12 touchdowns, and seven interceptions during his rookie campaign.
While the Commanders are widely expected to select a quarterback with their No. 2 pick, the Raiders have also hosted Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. and Oregon’s Bo Nix for visits. If the Raiders were to acquire the No. 13 overall pick, a competitive battle for the starting quarterback job could ensue under new offensive coordinator Luke Getsy.
The Raiders currently have a pool of quarterbacks on their roster, including O’Connell, Gardner Minshew, and Anthony Brown. However, the acquisition of the No. 2 pick could signal their intent to secure a long-term solution at the position. With a second-round pick at No. 44 and a third-rounder at No. 77, the Raiders have additional assets they could offer in a potential trade with the Commanders.
