National quarterback Michael Penix Jr. of Washington. Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports

Raiders scouting two Heisman finalists at Senior Bowl

By Clark Dalton | Last updated 2/1/24

The Las Vegas Raiders are doing their homework on quarterback prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft.

2023 Heisman finalists Michael Penix Jr. (Washington) and Bo Nix (Oregon) told The Athletic's Tashan Reed they met with the team this week at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.

The Raiders hold the 13th overall pick. Highly touted passers, such as LSU's Jayden Daniels, Southern Cal's Caleb Williams and North Carolina's Drake Maye, shouldn't be available when they make their selection. Nix and Penix Jr. represent the next best option.

ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. recently rated Penix Jr. as his fifth-best QB, one spot ahead of Nix. According to Reed, the former Washington star looked like the more impressive player during Tuesday's and Wednesday's practice.

Not many quarterbacks throw a prettier ball than Washington QB Michael Penix, Jr. This was the final throw of the entire early practice session on Day 1 of Senior Bowl week. Drops it right in the bucket to USC RB Marshawn Lloyd pic.twitter.com/Uu51JRv504
— Jeff Haeger (@TheJeffTakeWVUE) January 30, 2024

Las Vegas still needs to hire a new offensive coordinator. When it makes that decision, it will become clear who the team prefers.

The Raiders will probably release Jimmy Garoppolo, who was benched following a Week 8 loss to the Detroit Lions. In six games, the 32-year-old threw more interceptions (nine) than TDs (seven) and posted a below-average 33.9 QBR.

Rookie Aidan O'Connell — a fourth-round pick out of Purdue — flashed potential, but he was inconsistent. In 11 games, he completed 62.1 percent of his passes for 12 TDs, seven picks and a below-average 40.6 QBR.

Las Vegas has talented wide receivers in six-time Pro Bowler Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers. They could flourish with improved QB play.

Two-time league MVP Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs) and former Offensive Rookie of the Year Justin Herbert (Los Angeles Chargers) await twice a year in the AFC West. To compete, the Raiders — who last won the division in 2002 — must find a surefire franchise QB.

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