Will The Raiders Take A Quarterback In The First Round? 2023 NFL Draft Outlook

The Las Vegas Raiders had high expectations for the 2022 season after hiring Josh McDaniels and trading for Davante Adams. Unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned.

Las Vegas ended the year with a 6-11 record and finished third in the AFC West division. However, that’s not all that happened last season.

Derek Carr got benched after the Week 16 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Raiders eventually released the former franchise quarterback earlier this offseason. Carr had been with the team since they used a second-round pick on him in the 2014 NFL Draft.

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Who Do The Raiders Currently Have On The Roster?

With Carr now a member of the New Orleans Saints, Las Vegas had an opening at the quarterback position. Reportedly the team wanted to sign Tom Brady, but the future Hall of Famer decided to retire. While the Raiders considered making a run at Aaron Rodgers, they decided to turn their attention to veterans in free agency.

The Raiders signed Jimmy Garoppolo to a three-year contract this offseason worth $72.75 million. Garoppolo received over $33 million at signing and has a cap hit of $16.3 million for the 2023 season.

No one was surprised that Las Vegas signed the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback. Garoppolo and McDaniels spent time together in New England from 2014 through 2016.

Will The Raiders Take A Quarterback In The First Round?

Despite signing Garoppolo to a three-year contract this offseason, the Raiders have done extensive homework on the quarterback draft class. The team wrote the contract so that if they release Garoppolo before his $11.25 million roster bonus kicks in on March 17, 2024, Las Vegas saves $24.25 million in salary cap space next offseason.

The Raiders wanted the flexibility in Garoppolo’s contract in case they spent a first-round pick on a quarterback. Garoppolo’s contract allows Las Vegas to release him next offseason and replace him if they want. Meanwhile, they can keep him around if he’s their best option.

Therefore, it’s no surprise that the team is reportedly interested in trading up for a quarterback in the 2023 NFL Draft. Reportedly their top target is Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud.

Las Vegas has to improve its quarterback situation. The AFC West has two superstar quarterbacks: Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert. Meanwhile, Russell Wilson should bounce back this season under Sean Payton. The Raiders can’t sell to their fan base that Garoppolo is their starter next year and in 2024.

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