Earlier this week, with the major free agents all having signed, thus changing the landscape of what positions teams will be looking to address in the draft, NFL media’s Daniel Jeremiah teased his next mock draft.
“I’m debating choosing chaos for my next mock draft,” said Jeremiah. Followed by a GIF suggesting chaos it is.
Decision made https://t.co/kMVoWyRtVq pic.twitter.com/JgHZ5lGEDM
— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) March 17, 2024
It was two days later that he actually released the mock saying plainly “I chose chaos.”
What made it chaotic?
First, it was the Vikings trading up with the Cardinals to the fourth spot to select JJ McCarthy, which meant QB’s went with the top four picks in the draft.
Then, with Marvin Harrison Jr still on the board, the Jets jumped up in a trade with the Chargers to get him.
With the top four QB’s gone, the question would be what the Broncos will do at 12 and the Raiders at 13. Both teams have a major need at QB, but most draft analysts see a big dropoff after those first four QB’s. Potentially a full round dropoff.
Jeremiah has the Broncos passing up the QB position for the draft’s top tight end Brock Bowers.
But the Raiders say ‘damn your draft projections,’ throw caution to the wind, and nab Washington’s Michael Penix at 13.
The Raiders signed Gardner Minshew to compete against Aidan O’Connell. However, I don’t think those two quarterbacks have the ceiling that Penix does in the NFL. There’s an assumption that Penix is more of a second-rounder, but I believe his skill set is a unique fit for the Raiders’ style of play.
Penix has potentially elite arm talent with plenty of mobility to go with it. His skillset is top of the draft worthy. Mainly it’s his injury history and age that has him projected lower. The age thing is an issue for those who think that means he’s hit his ceiling, while others have more room to grow.
I personally don’t buy into the age issue. I see it as him being more pro ready, thus getting more of his prime in his rookie contract. So, you’d have to think if he can shake the injury bug, he is worth this pick.
Also consider that the Raiders have needed to take a swing at QB for a while now. They could try and trade down a bit before getting Penix. But if they simply wait to the second round, they may end of losing out on him and potentially Oregon’s Bo Nix as well. That’s a hell of a risk to take.
Tough call.
