The Las Vegas Raiders have the 13th pick in the upcoming 2024 NFL draft. The Raiders need to fill several positions, including quarterback.
In a recent mock draft by NFL.com’s Chad Reuter, the Raiders choose Alabama offensive tackle J.C. Latham with their first choice. Latham made 27 starts at right tackle for the Crimson Tide. He was chosen to the Associated Press All-American Second Team last season.
“Latham’s size, strength and talent give him a chance to become a heralded right tackle or Pro Bowl-caliber guard,” Zierlein said in a statement.
Reuter believes Latham is a strong fit for the Raiders.
“Latham’s huge frame and power off the snap in the run game belie his ability to slide laterally and widen his base in pass protection, making him a tough ask for defenders to beat with power or speed off the edge,” Reuter said.
On a recent episode of the “Las Vegas Raiders Insider” podcast, Hall-of-Fame general manager Bill Polian talked about the significance of finding strong tackles early in the draft with our Hondo S. Carpenter Sr.
According to Reuter, the Raiders will trade their fourth and fifth-round picks to Carolina in the second round in order to move up to pick 33 and choose Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. Aidan O’Connell took over as the Raiders’ starter in November and is expected to compete with new signing Gardner Minshew for the starting spot.
Penix was a Heisman finalist last season while guiding his Huskies to the national championship, but they fell short against Michigan. Zierlein compared Penix to Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
