Who Should I Start? Aidan O'Connell or Jalen Milroe

Friday, April 11, 12:07 PM

The Las Vegas Raiders signed quarterback Geno Smith to a two-year, $75 million contract extension this offseason, but it's extremely team-friendly, and The Athletic's Vic Tafur thinks bringing in a young QB in this year's NFL draft to learn behind Smith makes sense. Tafur also thinks the Raiders might trade backup Aidan O'Connell on draft weekend. The Raiders have a clear out with Smith after 2026, as they guaranteed only $18.5 of his $26.5 million 2026 salary, and none of the $39.5 million he's due to make in 2027. Minority owner Tom Brady likes the idea of rookie QBs sitting and learning, and the Raiders will have some interesting options later in the draft in what is considered a down year for QBs. Tafur doesn't think it makes much sense to take Colorado's Shedeur Sanders at No. 6 overall, and a good number of QBs could be off the board by the team's second pick at No. 37 overall.

Monday, April 28, 11:07 PM

When asked if rookie quarterback Jalen Milroe could be used in a Taysom Hill-type role, Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said that Milroe "is a quarterback through and through." Sam Darnold will play most of the snaps in 2025, but Milroe will have an opportunity to earn a unique role in certain situations. General manager John Schneider said that Seattle "added an explosive weapon while (Milroe) develops as a quarterback." "He's going to be trained to play quarterback for us. When he's in there, he's going to be playing quarterback. But the athleticism is going to come to life when he's on the field," Macdonald said. The 6-foot-1, 216-pounder has game-changing speed and a big arm, but he needs to develop as an accurate passer with anticipation at all three levels of the field. Milroe's dynamic athleticism will make him an intriguing dynasty/keeper pick, but he should be ignored in redraft leagues.