The Las Vegas Raiders are off to a 2-2 start to the 2024 campaign, as the team is coming off a hard-fought win over the Cleveland Browns in Week 4. Though the Raiders' record isn't abysmal through four weeks, Antonio Pierce's squad is incredibly depleted, and the optimism around the team is plummeting.
Quarterback Gardner Minshew hasn't been awful, but the 28-year-old's low ceiling and inability to elevate his playmakers is a primary reason for the Raiders' subpar offensive output this season.
Quarterback will be a need for Las Vegas next offseason, and The Athletic's Nick Baumgardner has the team spending a top-10 pick on Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders in his most recent mock draft.
This is too high for a QB in this class. However, based on how willing QB-needy teams have been in recent years to reach for unfinished products, it’s certainly not a stretch to suggest a quarterback will come off the board inside the top 10 in April.
Sanders, whose arm talent and playmaking ability have become undeniable, has the confident personality that’s a perfect match for Raider nation.
Though he's the most polarizing player in college football, general manager Tom Telesco should absolutely draft Sanders if given the opportunity.
Sanders has been one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the nation for the last two years, as the 22-year-old has tossed 41 touchdowns and just six interceptions with a 69.7% completion rate since arriving at Colorado.
Drafting Sanders would give a jolt to Raider Nation, as the franchise has been stuck in quarterback purgatory since the departure of Derek Carr during the 2023 offseason. The former three-star recruit has the potential to be a dynamic franchise signal-caller, capable of completely turning around a failing organization.
The Raiders won't be focused on the draft just yet, as the team has the chance to notch a winning record through five weeks on Sunday when they face off against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
