GOOD NEWS: Raiders advances to sign new Quarterback.

Well, Las Vegas Raiders fans, we’re officially less than a month away from the NFL Draft and the quarterback conversations are heating up by the day! So, let’s dive into this week’s mailbag.

Question: Matt, if we can’t get Jayden Daniels, but Bo Nix, Michael Penix Jr. and J.J. McCarthy are available, who would you pick if you were Telesco?

Answer: This is an easy one for me, McCarthy. While he’s definitely the biggest project of the bunch, I like his potential and the fact that he just turned 21 in January gives him a higher ceiling than the two older guys. I’m a fan of McCarthy’s arm talent, ability to throw on the run and athleticism which is enough to put him as QB4 for me. Plus, I’ve been impressed with his maturity and leadership for such a young player.

If the Michigan product isn’t available though — which I think he won’t be — I’d lean toward Penix over Nix. Those two were pretty close to each other, in my eyes, to begin this process and Penix has performed better in events like the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine to give him the nod for me.

A: Probably not. I still think Penix will be the fifth quarterback drafted, but he’ll likely be a mid- to late-first-round pick, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the Raiders try to trade back in the first to get him if they pass at 13.

Q: The Raiders have only upgraded/added 1 starter to last year’s roster & have released/lost other starters! What other positions for Raiders do you actually think will be upgraded (New Starters added) during FA? And what positions do you want them to upgrade?

I definitely want them to upgrade at right guard and right tackle, or at least bring in some competition for Thayer Munford Jr. There aren’t many free-agent options available at this stage in the game, but Connor Williams, Mekhi Becton and Dalton Risner would be worth kicking the tires on.

Williams has been playing center over the last two seasons, but he lined up at guard during the first four years of his career. However, it seems like his health is an issue as he has a long injury history and is coming off of a “pretty significant” torn ACL, per his agent via Pro Football Talk

In your opinion, did the NFL go overboard on new rule changes? Which one, if any, was absolutely necessary?

A: I’m not a fan of the hip-drop tackle rule because I think the rules are somewhat subjective and going to be very hard to call in real-time. We can spot hip-drop tackles because we have the advantage of broadcast replays and slow motion, but the refs don’t get that luxury and I feel it’s going to lead to more controversy.

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