Value vs. Need: Assessing Which Route The Raiders Should Pencil In

The Las Vegas Raiders and general manager Tom Telesco find themselves in a tough spot with the NFL Draft less than a week away. Do they address a glaring need or go with the “safest” value?

The Raiders’ issue has several layers—specifically the quarterback position and how this new brain trust sees it. Drafting a signal-caller in the first couple of rounds doesn’t make sense if Aidan O’Connell is considered the future. Instead, you’d think that solidifying the O-line might take precedent, especially given AOC’s lack of mobility.

Then again, maybe Michael Penix Jr. really is “the guy” that the Raiders want. Of course, if that were the case, we’d assume a major “trade-up” wouldn’t take place.

Penix, the former Washington Huskie, has gained traction as the Silver and Black’s next quarterback. The media, in particular, likes the fit. Take ESPN’s Mina Kimes, for example; she’s on board with the possibility.

“I really like the idea of Michael Penix Jr. on the Las Vegas Raiders, for a few reasons. For him, it doesn’t make sense to me to draft him and then sit him for a couple of years, not just because he is an older prospect but because he is the kind of player who has played a lot of football and can come in and compete immediately.”

How do the Raiders approach the No. 13 pick this year?

That’s all well and good, but if Penix is to be the pick, do you get him with the 13th overall selection knowing that you’re leaving a potential franchise tackle on the board?

Drafting an offensive tackle doesn’t automatically guarantee anything (Alex Leatherwood, anyone?). but it’s certainly a “safer” route than going with Penix, who might be available in the second round. If anyone knows the value of drafting quality linemen, it’s Telesco.

Matt Miller, also of ESPN, believes Oregon State’s Taliese Fuaga would be the best “value pick.” While pointing out his strengths, Miller went as far as to say he’s the best tackle prospect in this class.

“We agree on the position but not the player. Fuaga is No. 12 on my board, and I think he is the best right tackle in the 2024 class, even above Latham. He’s an elite run-blocker and has serious power.”

It’s going to come down to whether the Raiders feel quarterback is as glaring a need as fans make it out to be—or if the organization can’t afford to let a potential stalwart (such as Fuaga) pass them by. Telesco’s hiring was precisely for this reason.