The Las Vegas Raiders face an uncertain near future due to their ongoing search for a top-tier quarterback and various weaknesses in their roster.
To bolster their lineup, they selected Brock Bowers, a promising tight end from the University of Georgia, with the 13th pick in this year’s NFL Draft.
Addressing another area of concern, the Raiders recently added offensive line support by signing free agent Andrus Peat, according to Ian Rapoport’s report on Monday.
Source: Former #Saints starting OL Andrus Peat is signing with the #Raiders. Some added OL help post-draft.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 6, 2024
Peat brings nine years of NFL experience, all with the New Orleans Saints, where he played a crucial role in transitioning from the Drew Brees era to the current quarterback, Derek Carr, in Las Vegas.
Derek Carr, who spent his first nine seasons with the Raiders before the 2023 season, anchors the team’s quarterback position.
Currently, Aidan O’Connell holds the quarterback position for the Raiders, taking over as a rookie last season after veteran Jimmy Garoppolo was replaced. This change coincided with the dismissal of head coach Josh McDaniels and the appointment of Antonio Pierce.
Despite uncertainties at QB, the Raiders boast talent in wide receivers Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers, along with defensive end Maxx Crosby.
The acquisition of Gardner Minshew as a solid backup on a two-year, $25 million deal provides depth at the quarterback position, potentially challenging O’Connell for the starting role.
For the Raiders to succeed, O’Connell’s development into a capable signal-caller or Minshew’s effectiveness will rely heavily on protection from Peat and the offensive line.
Even with these potential improvements, Las Vegas faces tough odds in making the playoffs next season, especially given the competitiveness and depth of the AFC.
