The Las Vegas Raiders "could be a mover and a shaker around draft time" because head coach Antonio Pierce is high on LSU star Jayden Daniels, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

Pierce was on the Arizona State staff when the Sun Devils recruited Daniels to Tempe out of high school.

"That's a connection. Is it strong enough to move up from 13 overall to three overall to New England's spot?" Fowler said Sunday on SportsCenter. "That would be tough, but I think it's on the radar at least."

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo reported on Feb. 11 that Pierce "wants to be aggressive in landing a new QB, and owner Mark Davis grilled GM candidates during the search process on how to trade up from No. 13 to get one."

Since then, Jimmy Garoppolo has received a two-game suspension, with ESPN's Adam Schefter reporting he's expected to be cut in mid-March. That lends further credence to the idea Las Vegas will plot a move up in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft.

With how much Daniels' stock has steadily climbed, he may not last past the top five. The Heisman Trophy winner went third overall to the Patriots in Bleacher Report's most recent 2024 mock draft.

In addition, New England has just as much of a need at quarterback as Las Vegas since the ship has sailed on Mac Jones being the long-term solution. Selecting a QB in Round 1 would also be a way to further signal the dawn of a new era with legendary head coach Bill Belichick gone.

It might take a lot for the Pats to budge from their present position in the first round.