DEAL AGREED: Award-Winning QB With Huge Arm is reportedly on the verge of signing a blockbuster deal for Raiders

His star swiftly faded following a lackluster effort in the National Championship game versus Michigan. This may be advantageous for a team like the Raiders, who have a lower first-round pick and are likely to find Penix available at No. 13.

Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine believes Penix is the greatest option for the Raiders in the 2024 selection.

“In all likelihood, the Raiders did too much winning to get Drake Maye, Caleb Williams, or Jayden Daniels,” Ballentine wrote in his January 10 piece. “There are too many quarterback-needy teams that pick ahead of the Raiders, and trading up to get any of the three will be difficult.”

“Michael Penix Jr. would be a more realistic target.” The Washington quarterback led the Huskies to the National Championship Game in his final season, demonstrating significant progress from his days as Indiana’s main quarterback.”

Penix might make sense if the Raiders do not want to trade up in the draft.

Scout compliments Michael Penix on his arm strength
The most serious criticism leveled at Michael Penix is his lack of mobility. He’s had two ACL tears in his career, which has hampered his ability to run. However, in the draft, there may not be a better pure passer.
Derrik Klassen, a scout for Bleacher Report, highlighted the quarterback’s arm talent.

“Everything with Penix’s game starts and ends with arm strength,” Mr. Klassen remarked. “The ball explodes from his grasp. With a flick of the wrist, he can bomb it 60 yards down the field and attack tight windows to the intermediate range. Penix is also at his most accurate down the field.”

Given that he spent six years in college and is now 23, it’s reasonable to wonder if Penix has already achieved his peak. Having said that, he is most certainly the most NFL-ready of the prospects. The Raiders finished 8-9 in 2023 and could have made the playoffs with the proper QB. They could benefit from bringing in a young quarterback who is ready to play in Week 1.

The availability of Michael Penix may be contingent on the head coach.
It’s tough to say whether Michael Penix would be a good fit in Las Vegas until a head coach and general manager are hired. If interim head coach Antonio Pierce is hired full-time, he may be more interested in adding LSU’s Jayden Daniels because he coached him at Arizona State.

Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh is also a candidate for the Raiders’ head coaching job and might work with J.J. McCarthy again in the NFL. Penix is a great prospect who should be on the team’s radar regardless of who the head coach is, but familiarity with other prospects may win out in Las Vegas. It’s also plausible that the Raiders desire a more mobile quarterback following years of starting Derek Carr and Aiden O’Connell.