When the first 12 picks of the NFL draft flew by, and the Raiders hadn’t made a move to snag a quarterback, it was clear they were sticking with the ones they already had.
Free agent Gardner Minshew and returning starter Aidan O’Connell will compete for the job. Raiders’ new general manager Tom Telesco chose to focus on strengthening the surrounding team.
He picked Georgia tight end Brock Bowers with the 13th overall pick, followed by offensive linemen Jackson Powers-Johnson from Oregon and Delmar Glaze from Maryland in the later rounds. Telesco also made moves during free agency, beefing up the defensive line with tackle Christian Wilkins.
“We felt building this team starts with both sides of the ball — offense and defensive line,” said Telesco. “That was my thought from the beginning.”
The Raiders aren’t in a total rebuild, but they recognize the importance of solidifying both lines, even if it can’t be done all at once.
With just two playoff appearances in 21 years and coming off an 8-9 season, the Raiders aren’t looking for a quick fix. While not drafting a potential franchise quarterback may seem risky, Telesco and the Raiders might keep their options open for next year’s draft or free agency.
For now, it’s all about Minshew and O’Connell. Telesco is eager to see them in action on the practice field.
