Winners and losers of the Senior Bowl: The Raiders’ quarterback situation becomes less clear
ALABASTER, AL — Even though the game hasn’t started yet, the Raiders of Las Vegas have learned a lot about this week’s Senior Bowl prospects for the NFL Draft as most scouts return home following Thursday’s practice. Now, with a few winners and losers, let’s examine how the practices and showcases may affect the Raiders roster.
ACHIEVEMENT: Aidan O’Connell
Sam Hartman and Bo Nix were outplayed by Michael Penix Jr., who thus earned the title of quarterback of the week for the National Team. Penix Jr. did not, however, have a performance where I truly felt he cemented his status as a top-15 pick due to some accuracy and pocket management issues.
It helps Aidan O’Connell’s chances of staying the starting quarterback the following season. Of course, O’Connell has a few appropriate questions now that Kliff Kingsbury has been appointed offensive coordinator.
WINNER: Rattler, Spencer
Being the most reliable passer throughout the week, Spencer Rattler was duly named the American quarterback of the week. This adds to the uncertainty surrounding the Raiders quarterback situation, as Rattler could emerge as a deceptive option. He did play for Lincoln Riley at Oklahoma; Kingsbury was Riley’s assistant at USC during the previous season.
LOSER: Upcoming Offensive Linemen Who Are Free Agents
The offensive line proved throughout the week that it was among the strongest position groups going into the Senior Bowl. Jackson Powers-Johnson of Oregon was among the most outstanding players overall until an injury midway through Wednesday. Christian Haynes of UConn looked good, and Dominic Puni of Kansas also demonstrated versatility by playing multiple positions and proving to be a good Day 2 target.
A few other possible right tackle choices also caught our attention; Tyler Guyton of Oklahoma, Taliese Fuaga of Oregon State, and Patrick Paul of Houston all had strong performances this week.
The Raiders will have plenty of options to replace upcoming free agents Andre Jamaes, Greg Van Roten, and Jermaine Elumunor, which is bad news for them.
LOSER: Prospects for linebackers
I’m still holding out hope that one of the linebackers in this year’s draft class will stand out and truly impress me, but I don’t think that will happen. Even NC State’s Payton Wilson, the winner of the Butkus Award, was a little underwhelming among the Mobile crew’s stars. As a result, one could argue that someone like Divine Deablo is a winner.
WINNER: Mitchell Quinyon
Despite missing practice on Thursday, Toledo was voted the best corner on the National Team, and I had been praising him all week. He was simply that good, easily the best cornerback on the field, and he never had an injury. Mitchell still costs a lot for the 13th overall pick, but his value is increasing, and if the Raiders are looking for a cornerback with outstanding ball skills, they may be able to trade back and select the former Rocket.
John Jenkins, LOSER
Even though John Jenkins is about to become a free agent, I might have thought about bringing him back before this week even though he is about to turn 35. Gap-plugging nose tackles aren’t as common in the draft, but Texas’ T’Vondre Sweat showed himself worthy of a Day 2 pick with his strong performances in the last two practices. Sweat has pass rush upside with a bull rush that’s difficult to stop when his motor runs hot, and he provides value as a boulder against the run.
