With a record of 2-11 and already eliminated from postseason play for the 2024 NFL season, it is officially mock draft time in Las Vegas.
As it stands, Las Vegas is slated with the number-one overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, which is certainly something to look forward to for Raider Nation. In the blink of an eye, the organization could change its fortune overnight with the selection of its next franchise player.
According to a recent mock draft by CBS' Ryan Wilson, the Las Vegas Raiders will catch a case of the quarterback fever on draft night by selecting Miami QB and Heisman Trophy finalist Cam Ward with the top pick.
"Cam Ward would've likely been no better than QB5 in last year's draft class, but he's QB1 in 2024," wrote Wilson. Teams had a late Day 2/Day 3 grade on him over the summer, but he's made big strides this season; he's playing more from the pocket, he's getting the ball out on time and he's doing a better job of getting through his reads. We know about the athleticism and arm strength, but he's gotten better each year he's been in college, too."
Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward. Sam Navarro-Imagn Images Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Ward has lit up the college football world by storm this fall by throwing for the second-most yards in the sport (4,123) and the most passing touchdowns (36).
In order to compete out in the wild, wild AFC West, which is loaded with skilled signal callers, there is no doubt that Las Vegas needs to find a quarterback sooner rather than later.
Thus far, the Raiders have already had three different quarterbacks take snaps under center this fall, and the inconsistency surely has to be getting on the nerves of owner Mark Davis. However, it is a bit surprising that the obvious interests between the Raiders and Colorado's Shedeur Sanders didn't prevail here.
Things such as meet-ups with Davis, his father/coach Deion Sanders addressing it and social media posts have led to much speculation that Sanders could be the pick. only time will tell what the Raiders decide to do, but the ball (as of now) is in their court.
Throughout the illustrious history of the Raiders, the franchise has used a first-round pick on a quarterback just five times- Roman Gabriel (1962), Eldridge Dickey (1968), Marc Wilson (1980), Todd Marinovich (1991), and JaMarcus Russell (2007).
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This story was originally published December 10, 2024, 11:23 PM.