Raiders Meet With Award-Winning Quarterback

The Las Vegas Raiders have finally hired a new offensive coordinator, giving the franchise a clearer notion of who to look for at quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft. It will be weeks before underclassmen can impress teams at the NFL Scouting Combine, but many of the top seniors are already at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.

Michael Penix Jr., Washington’s quarterback, is one of the prominent names that teams are watching. According to Tashan Reed of The Athletic, the Raiders have visited with both Penix and Oregon quarterback Bo Nix.

“The Raiders contingent isn’t just here to analyze quarterbacks, of course, but that’s a significant piece of its assignment,” Reed wrote in a February 1 essay. “Nix and Penix said they’re among the players with whom the Raiders have met.”

Penix is one of the most intriguing prospects in the draft. He excelled for the Huskies and received the Maxwell Award in 2023. Last season, he threw for 4,903 yards and 36 touchdowns, leading Washington to the national championship. His value has dropped following a dismal performance versus Michigan, but the Raiders do not choose until the 13th round, and he could be the best quarterback available.

The Las Vegas Raiders are named after Michael Penix Jr.

Kliff Kingsbury, the Raiders’ new offensive coordinator, prefers a dynamic quarterback to make his system work, and Aidan O’Connell is not the best athlete at the position. Michael Penix isn’t particularly mobile, but he could have the finest arm and deep ball accuracy of any quarterback in the draft.

Head coach Antonio Pierce prefers to run and toss the ball down the field. ESPN’s Jordan Reid believes Penix would be a wonderful fit for the Raiders.

“The Washington offense thrives on deep shots, and with an FBS-leading 46 completions on passes of 20-plus yards, Penix has an explosive arm and a quick release,” Reid said in an article published on February 2. “He is most comfortable playing within the framework of the offense and performs best in the pocket.

“That arm strength was on full show during the Senior Bowl. The ball just erupted out of his hand, and he effortlessly drove it to the far corners of the field.

Another problem for Penix is that he will be 24 when the NFL regular season begins, and he has two ruptured ACLs in his career. While there are red flags, the No. 13 choice for a potential great quarterback isn’t a huge risk.