Bryce Young to make Top 30 visit to Las Vegas Raiders

As Las Vegas moves on from the Derek Carr era, they have brought in Jimmy Garoppolo to work under head coach Josh McDaniels. Garapalo has a ton of prior success, winning games with both the San Francisco 49ers and New England Patriots. Even so, the Raiders are still looking for the quarterback of the future at the top of the NFL Draft.

Doing their homework on everyone, Las Vegas will bring Alabama product Bryce Young in on a Top 30 visit, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. The visit will begin on Thursday, with Young getting an opportunity to meet with everyone out West.

“The #Raiders are hosting #Bama QB Bryce Young on a Top 30 visit that begins on Thursday, per me and @MikeGarafolo,” Rapoport said. “Las Vegas picks No. 7.”

While there is a debate about whether or not Young will be the top quarterback taken off the board, he is unlikely to naturally fall to Las Vegas at seventh overall. There are just too many quarterback-needy teams ahead of them. And others will be willing to move up in the draft.

Five of the six teams ahead of Las Vegas could realistically select a quarterback with their pick. Carolina traded up from No. 9 to gain the first-overall pick and will likely debate between Young and CJ Stroud up until draft night. Houston sitting at No. 2 is a candidate to select Young as well.

At the very least, homework is being done ahead of the draft by the front office.

As mentioned, Garoppolo was added in the offseason for Las Vegas. A potential backup in Brian Hoyer was recently added as well, citing another connection to McDaniels. If the Raiders are able to select anyone come late April, the head coach will have a couple of his guys to work with.

But they are looking to take someone early on and bringing Young in for a visit proves it. A new franchise quarterback is needed, especially in the AFC West with Justin Herbert, Patrick Mahomes, and Russell Wilson on the other side twice a year.

Young is a quality candidate to do so if the Raiders can find a way to pick him. In two seasons as the Alabama starter, Young threw for 8,200 yards, 79 touchdowns, and just 12 touchdowns. He also has a Heisman Trophy attached to his name, doing so during the 2021 season.