It wasn’t a surprise to see the Raiders select a quarterback during the 2023 NFL Draft. They needed to add another young quarterback to the depth chart with Jimmy Garoppolo and Brian Hoyer. But what is the ceiling for their Day 3 quarterback?
In a recent article by ESPN, they met with several college coaches to discuss the recent NFL Draft. One name that was brought up in a positive light was Aidan O’Connell, the fourth-round pick by the Raiders. Here is what one Big Ten coach had to say about the selection of O’Connell:
“He’ll be a really long-term, good backup, he’ll play forever,” a Big Ten coach said. “He’ll wear a ballcap, hold a clipboard, make a lot of money. He’s so smart and he’s really accurate. But there aren’t many statues anymore [at quarterback].”
O’Connell is one of the most accurate quarterbacks from the 2023 NFL Draft. That isn’t arguable. He’s got a good enough NFL arm and has the prototypical size for a big-time passer. The biggest issue is a lack of mobility, but there are several quality starters in the league right now who can’t scramble.
As long as O’Connell can stay protected, he should have a chance to be a solid passer. But with the Raiders, his role will be as a high-end backup that helps the starter prepare for Sundays. And in the fourth round, that’s pretty good value.
