5 Potential Quarterbacks for the Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders need a long-term quarterback but don't have a lot of choices. The 2024 free agents aren't the best, which might force the Raiders to wait until 2025. That means they need a stopgap until they find the right pick. Here are five potential long-term and short-term quarterbacks for the Raiders.
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There isn’t a great free agent class to work with at quarterback in 2024, leaving the Las Vegas Raiders needing a stopgap. The best option in this scenario has to be Tom Brady, who retired over a year ago after a second season with the Buccaneers. Brady claims he is never returning to the field, but the Raiders can at least try.
Tom Brady would have some of the best weapons in the NFL at his disposal, including Davantae Adams, Hunter Renfrow, and Jakobi Meyers. The only downside of this idea is the defense. They would have to make significant changes to allow Brady to move the team down the field.
In the end, it’s the least likely scenario on this list.
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Tua Tagovialoa is a pretty remarkable quarterback, and the Raiders would be lucky to get such a versatile player. He has the strength of a giant, the speed of a cheetah, and some of the best throws in the NFL. Tagovialoa also has this underdog mentality that keeps him humble and away from nonsense. He is all football and can probably fit into any offense.
“He’s a situational QB," says Bernard Kitchen of Dolphinstalk. “He can be a gunslinger, he can check down, he can throw deep, he can manage the game…People want him to make athletic plays and be a gunslinger every game, even if it means hurting the team like certain other quarterbacks. Tua knows how to win. Of he makes boneheaded mistakes that are usually magnified. But in comparison, his mistakes are minimal.”
That’s a significant upgrade over Jimmy Garoppolo and maybe even Aidan O’Connell. The Raiders would benefit from a situation quarterback who can throw the ball deep.
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Dak Prescott is a very controversial player in some regards, but he might be what the Las Vegas Raiders are looking for. Prescott has piled up 2935 yards for 23 touchdowns and six interceptions. He also boasts a passer rating of 107.4 and a 70% completion percentage. This guy could thrive in Las Vegas with the right game plan.
“He’s the best quarterback in the NFL,” Domonique Foxworth said on ESPN’s GetUp. “Since that 49ers loss, he’s been the best statistically by almost all the advanced metrics."
The only disadvantage here is the waiting period they have until Prescott is available.
Related: 5 Things Las Vegas sports fans need to be worried about
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Baker Mayfield is having a career resurgence with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which has kept them competitive in the NFC South. He might be able to do the same with the Raiders, too! He has a 64% completion rating for 2839 yards, 15 touchdowns, and six interceptions.
The Raiders will probably want to make this a short-term deal and let Mayfield prove himself. This allows him to try running the offense, and the Raiders can still explore other options. Both sides get what they want, and maybe Mayfield can prove himself as a franchise guy.
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Source. YouTube[/caption]
Kirk Cousins might be on the market in 2024, and the Las Vegas Raiders need to pursue him. Cousins is currently in the last year of his deal with the Minnesota Vikings and put up great numbers before his injury. The veteran quarterback would essentially be a complete overhaul for the Raiders and give them a broader playbook.
According to Craig Peters Vikings.com: " I know Kirk has [talked about making more off-schedule plays] over the years, but one of his best traits is his ability to play in rhythm... He's got a really good base in the pocket, he's got great footwork, he can get open to throw off play-actions. "
Las Vegas would be investing in a quarterback coming off an Achilles injury, but there is still so much upside. Also, with weapons like Jakobi Meyers, Davantae Adams, and Michael Mayer, Cousins should have no problem racking up yards under center.
Click here for a full list of free-agent options for the Raiders.
#5 The Las Vegas Raiders should convince Tom Brady to play again in 2024
[caption id="attachment_41508" align="alignnone" width="1024"]
Source. YouTube[/caption]There isn’t a great free agent class to work with at quarterback in 2024, leaving the Las Vegas Raiders needing a stopgap. The best option in this scenario has to be Tom Brady, who retired over a year ago after a second season with the Buccaneers. Brady claims he is never returning to the field, but the Raiders can at least try.
Tom Brady would have some of the best weapons in the NFL at his disposal, including Davantae Adams, Hunter Renfrow, and Jakobi Meyers. The only downside of this idea is the defense. They would have to make significant changes to allow Brady to move the team down the field.
In the end, it’s the least likely scenario on this list.
#4 Las Vegas could make a grab for Tua Tagovialoa in 2025
[caption id="attachment_41506" align="alignnone" width="1024"]
Source. YouTube[/caption]Tua Tagovialoa is a pretty remarkable quarterback, and the Raiders would be lucky to get such a versatile player. He has the strength of a giant, the speed of a cheetah, and some of the best throws in the NFL. Tagovialoa also has this underdog mentality that keeps him humble and away from nonsense. He is all football and can probably fit into any offense.
“He’s a situational QB," says Bernard Kitchen of Dolphinstalk. “He can be a gunslinger, he can check down, he can throw deep, he can manage the game…People want him to make athletic plays and be a gunslinger every game, even if it means hurting the team like certain other quarterbacks. Tua knows how to win. Of he makes boneheaded mistakes that are usually magnified. But in comparison, his mistakes are minimal.”
That’s a significant upgrade over Jimmy Garoppolo and maybe even Aidan O’Connell. The Raiders would benefit from a situation quarterback who can throw the ball deep.
#3 Dak Prescott is an attractive option for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2025
[caption id="attachment_41507" align="alignnone" width="1024"]
Source. YouTube[/caption]Dak Prescott is a very controversial player in some regards, but he might be what the Las Vegas Raiders are looking for. Prescott has piled up 2935 yards for 23 touchdowns and six interceptions. He also boasts a passer rating of 107.4 and a 70% completion percentage. This guy could thrive in Las Vegas with the right game plan.
“He’s the best quarterback in the NFL,” Domonique Foxworth said on ESPN’s GetUp. “Since that 49ers loss, he’s been the best statistically by almost all the advanced metrics."
The only disadvantage here is the waiting period they have until Prescott is available.
Related: 5 Things Las Vegas sports fans need to be worried about
#2 Baker Mayfield might work as a short-term plan for Las Vegas
[caption id="attachment_41505" align="alignnone" width="1024"]
Source. YouTube[/caption]Baker Mayfield is having a career resurgence with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which has kept them competitive in the NFC South. He might be able to do the same with the Raiders, too! He has a 64% completion rating for 2839 yards, 15 touchdowns, and six interceptions.
The Raiders will probably want to make this a short-term deal and let Mayfield prove himself. This allows him to try running the offense, and the Raiders can still explore other options. Both sides get what they want, and maybe Mayfield can prove himself as a franchise guy.
#1 The Raiders could use a quarterback like Kirk Cousins in 2024
[caption id="attachment_41504" align="alignnone" width="1024"]
Source. YouTube[/caption]Kirk Cousins might be on the market in 2024, and the Las Vegas Raiders need to pursue him. Cousins is currently in the last year of his deal with the Minnesota Vikings and put up great numbers before his injury. The veteran quarterback would essentially be a complete overhaul for the Raiders and give them a broader playbook.
According to Craig Peters Vikings.com: " I know Kirk has [talked about making more off-schedule plays] over the years, but one of his best traits is his ability to play in rhythm... He's got a really good base in the pocket, he's got great footwork, he can get open to throw off play-actions. "
Las Vegas would be investing in a quarterback coming off an Achilles injury, but there is still so much upside. Also, with weapons like Jakobi Meyers, Davantae Adams, and Michael Mayer, Cousins should have no problem racking up yards under center.
Click here for a full list of free-agent options for the Raiders.