Raiders Linked to Dynamic Potential Geno Smith Replacement
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
The Las Vegas Raiders made a huge upgrade to their quarterback room during the 2025 NFL offseason. After struggling last season with Aidan O'Connell and Gardner Minshew, the team went out and acquired Geno Smith from the Seattle Seahawks.
Smith will give the team a much better chance to compete for a playoff run this season.
While it was a good pickup for the present, there are still questions about the Raiders' quarterback situation long-term. Smith is 34 years old and isn't getting any younger.
Geno Smith #7 of the Las Vegas Raiders looks on during the NFL Preseason 2025 game between Las Vegas Raiders and Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on August 07, 2025 in Seattle, WashingtonPhoto by Steph...
Geno Smith #7 of the Las Vegas Raiders looks on during the NFL Preseason 2025 game between Las Vegas Raiders and Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on August 07, 2025 in Seattle, WashingtonPhoto byMore
Photo byKeeping that in mind, it would not be surprising to see Las Vegas look to draft a young quarterback next offseason. There are going to be quite a few talented players available in the 2026 NFL Draft at the quarterback position.
Read more: Former GM Links Lions to Blockbuster Trade for Perennial DPOY Candidate
One name has been suggested as a potential dynamic replacement for Smith.
Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report has come up with an intriguing possibility for the Raiders. In his latest mock draft for 2026, he had Las Vegas selecting South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers with the No. 8 overall pick.
"The Las Vegas Raiders made arguably the best quarterback move this offseason with the acquisition of Geno Smith to provide the team with some stability. The organization shouldn't stop there, though," Sobleski wrote.
"Smith turns 36 next season. He could be the perfect mentor for a young, developmental quarterback for a year, with the franchise able to move on in 2027 since the veteran signal-caller doesn't have any remaining guaranteed money on his deal by that point."
During the 2024 college football season, the Gamecocks were one of the biggest surprises in the nation. Their success was due in large part to Sellers' impressive play.
He completed 65.6 percent of his pass attempts for 2,534 yards, 18 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. Sellers also torched defenses on the ground to the tune of 674 yards and seven touchdowns.
Read more: Browns' Shedeur Sanders Under Fire for Actions Before NFL Debut
When it comes to playmaking at the quarterback position, Sellers is elite. He will need to perform at an elite level in 2025 in order to be a top-10 pick, but that is widely expected from him.
Should Sellers live up to the hype this coming season at South Carolina, he could very well be a name worth watching closely as a potential target for the Raiders.
For more on the Las Vegas Raiders and general NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
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