The Las Vegas Raiders desperately need a quarterback, and if their performance continues like it has in the first six weeks of the NFL season, they could have a shot at one of the top prospects in the draft. In the 2024 NFL draft, the Raiders took a wait-and-see approach, only to watch six quarterbacks selected before their turn at No. 13. They ended up drafting tight end Brock Bowers, which is a solid pick, but it means another year without a solution at quarterback. Neither Gardner Minshew, who started the season, nor Aidan O’Connell, the current starter, has inspired confidence as a long-term answer. Given these challenges, fans are increasingly focused on the upcoming draft. This isn’t surprising, as the draft typically gives over half of the NFL’s fan bases something to look forward to, but the Raiders’ struggles suggest they’ll be picking near the top, which should excite their fans.
In ESPN’s latest mock draft, the Raiders are predicted to trade several picks to move up from No. 7 to No. 4. The target? Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward. ESPN’s Jordan Reid proposed a trade that he believes the Raiders could offer the Jacksonville Jaguars, who currently don’t need a quarterback.
“In April, the Raiders watched six quarterbacks come off the board before they were on the clock at No. 13,” Reid wrote. “They might not want to risk waiting it out again in 2025, and I could see them sending a second- and fifth-rounder to Jacksonville to move up three spots from No. 7 overall here. (Las Vegas just landed a conditional third-rounder from the Davante Adams trade that could be used to move up for a QB, too.)”
Ward currently holds the fourth-best Heisman odds on FanDuel and has guided Miami to its best start since 2017. In six games, he has passed for over 2,200 yards, throwing 20 touchdowns against just five interceptions. Known for his impressive arm strength and remarkable poise, he could quickly instill confidence in the fan base and potentially help the Raiders find their footing again. While some fans are connecting Shedeur Sanders to the Raiders, this mock draft predicts he will be selected No. 1 by the Cleveland Browns.
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