There has been plenty of chatter about it, but it looks like the Oakland Raiders are expected to pass on drafting a quarterback in round one later this month.
The Oakland Raiders do not need to draft Oklahoma’s Kyler Murray, Ohio State’s Dwayne Haskins, or even Missouri’s Drew Lock, but that has been the chatter as of later. The Raiders come into the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft with more early draft capital than any other team in football, so it makes sense that they would be the topic of conversation in terms of selecting the top two arms in the draft.
We all know how the Raiders got so much draft capital, trading away stars Khalil Mack (Chicago Bears), and Amari Cooper (Dallas Cowboys), earning their first round picks in 2019. In Chicago’s case, Oakland also got their first rounder next year, as they paid a big price for the former NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
In an offseason that has seen the Raiders bring in piece to win now, the Raiders do not seem likely to bring in a rookie quarterback to steer the ship. In addition, they have a legitimate franchise quarterback in Derek Carr, and it looks like organization knows that.
According to Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Oakland is likely to pass on a quarterback in round one.
Raiders expected to pass on quarterback in first round. Indications remain they’ll continue building around Derek Carr, adding as many as three offensive starters throughout draft. https://t.co/CatejOQBd9
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) April 15, 2019
In his piece, which you can read here, Gehlken states that the Raiders plan on bringing in offensive players in the draft, but they will focus on tight end and running back. In addition, he says the Raiders could bring in a quarterback this April, but it would not be likely until Day 3 of the 2019 NFL Draft.
That makes a lot of sense, because the Raiders have their issues, but quarterback is certainly not one of them. They can really improve this roster this April, and you can be sure that general manager Mike Mayock is not going to mess this one up.
Oakland holds three first round picks this April, including the No. 4 overall pick, and it will be interesting to see if they move any of the selections. The hope is that this current regime does not reach, much like they did in the first round last year, and that they bring in guys who can fill holes in 2019, and beyond.