“One constant I keep hearing from people I trust is that the Raiders really do like Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and could select him at No. 13 overall,” Miller said in a column published on April 19. “That’s surprising, given that Penix is a fantastic pocket thrower with the best overall arm strength in this class. His medical history — four consecutive season-ending injuries while at Indiana — and lack of mobility are enough of a concern that he is placed No. 40 on my board and is widely regarded as a Day 2 candidate, but the Raiders are reportedly to in him in Round 1. Las Vegas signed Gardner Minshew, but the team ranked 26th in QBR last season (40.1) and requires a long-term solution.
Is Michael Penix Jr., ranked 13th, a reach?
As Matt Miller pointed out, Michael Penix Jr. is a Day 2 candidate on many draft boards. Now, quarterback is such an important position that picking Penix at No. 13 isn’t a huge stretch, but it’s still a stretch. Aside from the Raiders, there does not appear to be much first-round interest in Penix throughout the league.
That could simply mean that clubs are remaining quiet, but it could also imply that Penix will be eliminated in the second round. If he is the quarterback the Raiders desire, they will have a difficult decision. With the 13th pick, the team might select an excellent right tackle prospect to cover Penix’s blindside.
However, such scenario could lead to the Raiders not receiving Penix at all. The team may execute a trade for a pick change in the first round. Nobody will blame the team for drafting Penix late in the first round. This would be the ideal circumstance for Las Vegas.
What about Jayden Daniels?
Jayden Daniels, the Raiders’ preferred quarterback, has ties to head coach Antonio Pierce. The majority of signs point to him being ranked second among the Washington Commanders. If they’ve opted to take Daniels, the Raiders have no way of getting him unless the quarterback declines to play for them.
That seems doubtful, thus the Raiders may need to investigate alternative choices such as Michael Penix Jr. It’s likely that the team may make a push in the next week before the draft to move up and get Daniels, but this would be pricey. Currently, Penix appears to have the strongest chance of being picked by the Raiders.
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