Raiders' Top 2024 NFL Draft Targets

The 2024 NFL draft might be the most important in recent Las Vegas Raiders memory. The Raiders showed some growth under then-interim coach Antonio Pierce last season, but this will be the first draft with Pierce and new general manager Tom Telesco at the helm.

Under Pierce, Las Vegas showed it can compete in the AFC West. However, catching the Kansas City Chiefs remains a massive challenge. With a successful draft, however, the Raiders can take another positive step in 2024.

Telesco and the Raiders have eight total selections this year, giving them plenty of chances to improve the roster. However, most fans are interested in what Las Vegas does with its 13th overall pick.

Yes, a quarterback could be on the table.

Here, we'll dive into three top prospects who could realistically be available at No. 13 and who should be on Las Vegas' radar entering the 2024 NFL draft.

QB Michael Penix Jr., Washington

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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 2: Michael Penix #QB08 of Washington participates in a drill during the NFL Combine at the Lucas Oil Stadium on March 2, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

The Raiders have quarterback options for 2024, including incumbent starter Aidan O'Connell and free-agent addition Gardner Minshew. However, neither signal-caller should prevent the Raiders from drafting a new quarterback of the future this weekend.

If the opportunity to trade up for a prospect like North Carolina's Drake Maye, LSU's Jayden Daniels or Michigan's J.J. McCarthy presents itself, Telesco could pounce. The Raiders may also be willing to stay put at No. 13 and grab Washington's Michael Penix Jr.

That's the buzz, according to ESPN's Matt Miller.

"One constant I keep hearing from people I trust is that the Raiders really do like Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and could select him at No. 13 overall," Miller wrote.

Penix isn't a perfect prospect. He has a notable injury history, and he needs to improve his touch and delivery. However, he has loads of raw arm talent and a much higher upside than either O'Connell or Minshew can offer.

Fortunately, the presence of Minsehw and O'Connell would allow Las Vegas to take a patient approach with Penix.

From a value standpoint, trading down and securing Penix later in Round 1 would make more sense, but that opportunity might not present itself. In almost every realistic scenario, if the Raiders stay put and take a quarterback at No. 13, Penix will be the pick.

OT JC Latham, Alabama

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PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: OL JC Latham (65) of the Alabama Crimson Tide blocks during the Alabama Crimson Tide game versus the Michigan Wolverines CFP Semifinal at the Rose Bowl Game on January, 1, 2024, at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Another option for the Raiders might be to trade back into Round 1 or to the top of Round 2 to secure Penix or Oregon's Bo Nix. If Las Vegas isn't interested in flipping the switch on a quarterback early, an offensive tackle could make sense at No. 13.

That's what happened in the latest Bleacher Report Scouting Department mock draft, which paired Las Vegas with Alabama's JC Latham.

"Latham's imposing blend of size (6'6", 342 lbs), power and competitive toughness just feels right in the silver and black and gives the unit one of the best run-blocking sets of tackles in the NFL with Kolton Miller on the other side," Brandon Thorn of the B/R Scouting Department said.

From a value/upside standpoint, Latham would make a ton of sense for Las Vegas. However, Thayer Munford Jr. showed a lot of promise this past season and at least gives the Raiders a viable replacement plan behind the departed Jermaine Emuemunor.

A lot will depend on how Telesco wants to build his roster. If he's eyeing a quarterback later in the draft or in 2025, ensuring the team has long-term bookend tackles would be a fine approach.

Edge Dallas Turner, Alabama

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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 29: Dallas Turner #LB26 of Alabama looks on during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

If the Raiders like Munford enough and are willing to wait on a quarterback, they could look to bolster a defense that showed a lot of growth under Pierce last season. In that scenario, Alabama edge-rusher Dallas Turner could be the perfect target.

A cornerback like Kool-Aid McKinstry or Terrion Arnold of Alabama could also make sense, but elite pass-rushers are harder to find. Turner has the potential to be exactly that at the pro level.

"Turner's athleticism stands out as a pass-rusher, as he's able to execute a difficult ghost rush move at a high level," Matt Holder of the B/R Scouting Department wrote. "A lot of that has to do with his bend, as he has a limber lower half to turn tight corners at the top of the rush."

Turner recorded 10 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss last season with the Crimson Tide, and those aren't unrealistic rookie numbers for him. His ceiling is far above that.

The Raiders recorded a solid 46 sacks as a team last season, but they're still searching for a high-end complement to star Maxx Crosby. 2023 first-round pick Tyree Wilson may still pan out, but if Las Vegas were to end up with three dominant edge defenders, it'd be a good problem to have.