Another team in need of a franchise quarterback was testing the waters of the Commanders’ camp this week, days ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft on Thursday.
Even after Washington general manager Adam Peters told media that the team plans to “stick and pick,” the Raiders, under new GM Tom Telesco, still went knocking to see if they could convince the Commanders to trade their No. 2 spot, according to the NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.
Ian Rapoport also confirmed that the Commanders have shown no sign of budging, unlike the Patriots, who are potentially waiting for the right package for their No. 3 pick but have only received “laughable” offers thus far.
The Raiders underwent various shakeups last season, firing head coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler to benching Jimmy Garoppolo for rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell.
The team went 8-9 last season, with O’Connell’s starts yielding a 5-5 record.
During his rookie year, he threw 2,218 yards for 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
The Commanders are expected to draft a rookie quarterback with their No. 2 pick, while the Raiders hosted Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. and Oregon’s Bo Nix at their facility in early April.
If the Raiders opt to take a signal-caller with their No. 13 overall pick, it could yield an interesting battle for the starting quarterback job under a new system guided by new offensive coordinator Luke Getsy.
Before adding anything in the draft, the Raiders have O’Connell, who was a fourth-round pick (135th overall) in the 2023 NFL Draft, Gardner Minshew, who started most of last season for the Colts, and former Ravens practice squad member Anthony Brown all rostered.
The Raiders have their second-round pick at No. 44 overall and their third-rounder at No. 77.
