Raiders keeping an eye on this 2023 Heisman finalist before NFL Draft

Whether they trade up or not, expect the Las Vegas Raiders to take a quarterback at some point in the NFL Draft.

ESPN's Dan Graziano reported that the Raiders would love to move up from No. 13 into the top four and select LSU QB Jayden Daniels.

However, many believe the 2023 Heisman winner will be a top-three pick, so the Raiders may target Washington's Michael Penix Jr. instead.

"The Raiders are also thought to be high on Penix," wrote Graziano. "And if the quarterback market starts drying up quickly and they feel they need to trade up in order to avoid being shut out, the Chargers at No. 5 and the Titans at No. 7 are two teams that people believe are willing to trade down."

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler added that Penix, Oregon QB Bo Nix and South Carolina's Spencer Rattler "could very much be in play for the Raiders down the board."

Assuming they can't land Daniels, Penix seems the best option for the Raiders. Per CBS Sports, the 23-year-old became the first college QB to throw for 4,500 yards in consecutive seasons (2022 and 2023) since Kansas City Chiefs superstar Patrick Mahomes.

ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. rates Penix — who finished second in Heisman voting in 2023 — as the fifth-best QB in this draft class, touting his arm talent, accuracy and decision-making.

The main concern about Penix is his durability. In his first four seasons at Indiana, he tore his right ACL twice and injured both of his shoulders. Still, he passed his medical exams at the scouting combine via NFL Media's Ian Rapoport.

Earlier this offseason, Las Vegas head coach Antonio Pierce said he doesn't want to put "a Band-Aid" on the most important position.

Former fourth-round pick Aidan O'Connell and free-agent addition Gardner Minshew II probably aren't the answer.

If the Raiders hit on a QB in the draft, this would give Pierce what he's looking for and help him establish a winning foundation.