Raiders are just torturing themselves with latest draft visit

The Las Vegas Raiders are bringing in one of the top prospects in the entire NFL Draft, but it’s unrealistic they’ll be on the board when they pick seventh.

The Las Vegas Raiders under their new regime of general manager Dave Ziegler and head coach Josh McDaniels were unable to build off of a strong 2021 campaign by their predecessors. They failed to make it to the playoffs and once again began retooling the team in their image, most notably releasing quarterback Derek Carr and effectively replacing him with Jimmy Garoppolo on a three-year contract.

They, much like the rest of the NFL, are preparing for the draft, which begins on Apr. 27. The Raiders are set to pick seventh-overall, and one has to wonder how they will use the selection. Could they have their eyes set on one prospect in particular?

On Thursday, the Raiders are hosting Alabama quarterback Bryce Young on a top 30 visit in Las Vegas.

Raiders torturing themselves with visit with Bryce Young

It’s quite ambition of the Raiders, as Young is considered one of the top quarterback prospects in this year’s class. And, in all likelihood, Young could be selected first-overall by the Carolina Panthers, or second-overall by the Houston Texans, both of whom are in need of a starting quarterback.

NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport spoke about why the Raiders would meet with Young, and brought up potential possibilities, like trading up to No. 2, or Young dropping down draft boards.

“One would think that potentially they would consider a trade up to No. 2. I know that there were some people who thought they might end up trading up to No. 1 before the Carolina Panthers made that big move with the Chicago Bears. Either way, one thing we know about the draft is you really have no idea, so it’s just better to just do your homework and be ready for every crazy situation rather than not. I’d say that’s probably the category the Raiders are in right now, talking to Bryce Young on his Top 30 visit,” said Rapoport.

As Rapoport says, anything can happen in the NFL Draft. Consensus top picks could end up falling down the board as other teams prioritize and like other prospects. But with Young, it may be hard to envision Young falling down the board.

ESPN’s Chris Mortensen said during an appearance on SportsCenter that from what he’s heard, the Panthers “love Bryce Young,” and even told NFL Draft analysts Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay to change their mock drafts, as they both had the team selecting Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud.

Then there are the Texans. While they have a massive need at quarterback, there’s always the chance they choose to trade down to bring in additional NFL Draft picks. But would they really pass on the chance to get either Young or Stroud, the two quarterbacks most ready to start this upcoming season?

Oh, and then there’s the Arizona Cardinals, who are an obvious trade partner, as they have no need for a signal caller with Kyler Murray under contract.

The Raiders are preparing for the first round of the NFL Draft to get crazy, hence why they are meeting with Young, just in case he does fall a bit down the board to allow them to trade up to select him.