3 Las Vegas Raiders potential first-round targets in 2023 NFL Draft

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The Las Vegas Raiders will be starting over at the quarterback position in 2023. Was it the right move to release Derek Carr? I don’t think so, but I don’t get paid to make those decisions, even though I believe this team’s failures are more about the defense and the head coach. It would have made more sense to build up the Raiders’ defense and make a run. They already have one of, if not the best wide receivers in the game and one of the top running backs, along with a top three or four tight end.

Add to that a great pass rush led by Maxx Crosby and this team was only an upgrade at the linebacker position and secondary, to become a solid playoff contender. Unfortunately, they will be starting over without Carr and now need to address the quarterback spot. They could do that with the addition of a veteran quarterback via free agency or a trade, insert Aaron Rodgers’ name here, as he’s been rumored more than any other name.

That said, maybe they don’t go the route of a veteran and instead look to the 2023 NFL Draft. As far as offensive weapons, it would be a great landing spot for a rookie, aside from my lack of faith in head coach Josh McDaniels. That’s a story for another day though.

Let’s take a look at three potential first-round selections the Raiders could go with the seventh overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft.

3 first-round targets for the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2023 NFL Draft

ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 31: C.J. Stroud #7 of the Ohio State Buckeyes drops back to pass in the first half against the Georgia Bulldogs in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 31, 2022, in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /

1. CJ Stroud, QB, Ohio State

The Raiders are fortunate for two reasons here. Four teams are currently ahead of them in the draft with needs that do not include a quarterback. While one of those teams may make a surprising move and drafts a quarterback, I doubt that happens.

Secondly, this year’s draft class is decent, at least on paper. Certainly a better class than last year’s draft.

Three quarterbacks will go within the first ten picks of the draft and likely sooner. Bryce Young of Alabama, Will Levi of Kentucky, and C.J. Stroud of Ohio State. I see Stroud being the one available at number seven for the Raiders.

Stroud would come into a great situation with all the skill position weapons the Raiders possess and while the Raiders could use an upgrade on the offensive line, they weren’t a terrible unit a season ago. Plus, if the team is smart, they will resign Josh Jacobs and lean on that rushing attack as Stroud develops.

Stroud is a two-year starter at Ohio State, starting a total of 25 games. He totaled 8,123 yards, and 85 touchdowns, with 12 interceptions. The production and experience are there but will Stroud’s talents translate to the NFL? That is a question only time will tell.

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