Assuming neither Gardner Minshew nor Aidan O'Connell prove to be a long-term solution for the Las Vegas Raiders at quarterback in 2024, the team will be in the market for a signal-caller in 2025.
The Raiders were in the market for one this offseason, even after the signing of the veteran Minshew. However, general manager Tom Telesco simply wasn't able to move up in the 2024 NFL Draft to get a potential franchise signal-caller.
“We looked into (trading up for a quarter) like I said in the pre-draft press conference,” Telesco said. “We kind of had a plan to ... maybe move up if the opportunity was there. It wasn’t there, kept moving.”
In a recent 2025 mock draft from ESPN's Field Yates, he has the Raiders drafting from the No. 8 spot and landing Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers.
It's no surprise that the Raiders are linked to a quarterback in Round 1 since the team has gone through a full offseason battle between Aidan O'Connell and Gardner Minshew, who are each better suited to be a No. 2 option. (Minshew was named the starter over the weekend.) Las Vegas ranked 26th in QBR last season (40.1) and needs a long-term answer.
Ewers is a fun study with his smooth delivery and capacity to change arm angles to make creative throws. He has to be more consistent throwing downfield, but he can really carve up a defense with his intermediate accuracy. Ewers' functional mobility is also very good and allows him to work around the pocket effectively.
Ewers is projected to be one of the top-three quarterbacks in next year's class, along with Georgia's Carson Beck and Colorado's Shedeur Sanders. Here's a bit more on Ewers, per NFL Network's Dan Jeremiah:
Biggest takeaway: I don't know why Ewers hasn't generated more early excitement and buzz in scouting circles. I was very impressed with his skill set. His performance against Alabama last fall should have answered any questions about his viability as a top NFL prospect. He isn't perfect, but I love his blend of suddenness, aggressiveness and raw talent.
When evaluating quarterbacks, I always ask this question: Does this player's toolbox expand the playbook or limit it? I believe Ewers allows creative play-designers/callers plenty to get excited about. He can make every throw from the pocket, he's accurate on the move and he can take the free yards that are offered in the run game.
If the Raiders end up having the 2024 campaign that their position in this mock suggests, they should be hell bent on getting a quarterback in next year's draft, no matter what it takes. That makes drafting Ewers a very realistic possibility.