GM: Gardner Minshew, Aidan O'Connell Set to Be Raiders' QBs amid 2024 NFL Draft

The Las Vegas Raiders bypassed the quarterback position during the first three rounds of the NFL draft on Thursday and Friday, and appear to be happy with Gardner Minshew and Aidan O'Connell battling for the starting spot in the 2024 season.

"As I sit here right now, that's it... yeah," general manager Tom Telesco told reporters when asked if that pair was the plan at the position going forward.

The Raiders fell behind the quarterback bonanza in the first round at the No. 13, watching as six quarterbacks—Caleb Williams to the Chicago Bears at No. 1, Jayden Daniels to the Washington Commanders at No. 2, Drake Maye to the New England Patriots at No. 3, Michael Penix Jr. to the Atlanta Falcons at No. 8, J.J. McCarthy to the Minnesota Vikings at No. 10 and Bo Nix to the Denver Broncos at No. 12—were selected before their pick.

The team instead nabbed Brock Bowers in the first round, giving either Minshew or O'Connell another excellent weapon to work with next season. While it was a somewhat surprising pick, given the presence of Michael Mayer, Bowers is a uniquely gifted and versatile weapon who should improve the team's offense.

"We're looking to add more playmakers to the offense, and they come in all shapes and sizes, in all different positions," Telesco told reporters on Friday. "And we love Mayer—I love Mayer—and he's a really good player. He's going to take another big jump this year. But you get a chance to add just another dimension to the offense, whether it's a tight end, hybrid receiver, whatever it is, you need more playmakers on that side of the ball. So, I think [Bowers is] really going to help us there, and I feel like he was a high-level player in college."

On Friday, the Raiders joined the rest of the NFL in bypassing the quarterback position entirely. Instead, the team bolstered the offensive line by selecting center Jackson Powers-Johnson in the second round—though he may be moved to guard—and offensive tackle Delmar Glaze in the third round.

The team could still target the position on Saturday, with Spencer Rattler the top option remaining for quarterback-needy teams. The Raiders appear to be such a team, though Telesco—at least publicly—is satisfied with Minshew and O'Connell.