Bryce Young is not expected to be available when the Raiders pick at No. 7 overall, but the team will still continue its quarterback research project by meeting with the former Heisman Trophy winner.
The Alabama-developed prospect will meet with the Raiders on Thursday, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Young will head to Las Vegas for the meeting, doing so after spending time with Raiders brass in Tuscaloosa around the date of his pro day.
The Raiders have been connected to potentially trading up for a quarterback, but the window for a move — the Cardinals’ slot at No. 3 overall — may still not be sufficient to land Young. The Panthers are still in play to take Young at No. 1 overall, but C.J. Stroud may have a slight lead, and the Texans have been the team steadily connected to the 5-foot-10 passer. A recent report, however, indicated Houston is not dead-set on selecting a quarterback at No. 2 overall. That would open the door for Young or Stroud to be available at No. 3.
Jimmy Garoppolo signed a three-year deal with the Raiders; the team guaranteed the veteran starter $33.75M. The Garoppolo agreement has not taken the Raiders out of consideration for a first-round QB, and as the team transitions from its nine-year Derek Carr era, the Josh McDaniels–Dave Ziegler duo is doing regular homework on this year’s crop of rookie arms. Garoppolo profiles as a bridge player, and Brian Hoyer is now in place as a veteran backup. But the Raiders also may have Hoyer in mind as a mentor-type for a draftee-to-be.
A scenario in which the Texans take Alabama edge-rusher Will Anderson at No. 2 would make Young or Stroud available to teams that may not have anticipated such an outcome, potentially increasing the value of the Cardinals’ draft choice. Of course, Anderson going higher than expected would also mean three first-round-level QBs are available beyond No. 2 overall compared to two. The Raiders have done work on each passer, having already met with Will Levis. They will be the first team to host Anthony Richardson as well; that meeting is set for Friday.
