Regardless how much Raiders head coach Jon Gruden and general manager Mike Mayock liked quarterback Kyler Murray a year ago, they had no way of getting in position to snag him in the NFL draft. They have a clear path to get one of the top three quarterback prospects in this year’s draft, though. It’s
Raiders’ Jon Gruden has ammunition, clear path to getting hands on quarterback in this year’s draft
But, wait, Gruden loves Carr.
Up until he doesn’t.
I am not sure that we would trade up. I have to wonder how much Gruden/Mayock like Love or Fromm.
Possibly even taking a flyer on a QB at 19 that nobody thinks will be a first rounder.
There is also the thought of waiting for until pick 80 and take a Jalen Hurts or Bryce Perkins. Though its possible both players might still be there in the 4th round or later.
I will not be surprised one bit if we end up with more than one WR and another RB in this draft. To go along with a QB. Even though we need a ton of talent on D.
Ok Steve, no one is saying this isn’t possible. I find the Tua talk intriguing , however I’m in the Carr camp (but am admittedly wavering) that is split 50-50 on him and would love to load up on multiple players with our prime picks. What’s you best guesstimate on how the qb positions plays out. No fantasy theories, just gut instinct with your insider knowledge.
Not a guess here, just what I know. Gruden is working hard toward finding a quarterback that fits what he wants. Once he can make that happen, he won’t hesitate. Last year, he had no way to make that happen with Kyler Murray. This year, if things check out on Tua, Gruden will strongly consider making the move.
If Gruden pulls the trigger on Tua, do you see him playing right away or sitting?
If this happened, whether Tua plays right away or not likely would depend upon his health. Otherwise, the Raiders have a stout offensive line and strong enough running game to take off the pressure from Tua that usually saddles a young quarterback.
What makes you so sure Tua would be the target for a trade up Steve & not Herbert?
So we get a rookie QB but miss out on all the high end WRs, LBs, DTs, etc. by giving up all those draft picks to make it happen?!?
It’s like we’re both looking at the same roster and seeing totally different things. I’d argue this makes us a WORSE team next year. You’ve most likely downgraded at QB in the short term, and you’ve given away all the premium picks that would have been used to address your REAL weaknesses.
One important thing to remember: In the NFL, nothing else matters if you don’t have a quarterback that can guide you to a Super Bowl. If Gruden and Mayock don’t consider Carr capable of being that guy, they are wasting their time pretending. Hence, you do whatever it takes to get a quarterback that you deem capable of taking you over the top. It’s why Harbaugh went with Kaepernick over Alex Smith and why Andy Reid went with Patrick Mahomes over Smith.
If you don’t have an elite QB, you are just treading water. There are two ways to build a team that is continually in the playoffs and playing into January:
1) Draft an elite QB and build around him
2) Draft a workable QB and build around him
#2 is more difficult. You need many more players to compensate for the workable QB. And after time, players drift off into FA. This is the 49ers model.
#1 gives you the chance to always have a shot, even with mediocre talent around the QB. That QB raises the play of those around him. This is the Texans and Packers model. Even
How long do we need to keep trying to find weapons for Carr? Wasn’t Waller above average? Wasn’t Jacobs above average? Wasn’t the offensive line?
Keep drafting until you find an elite QB. Always try to upgrade. It’s a QB driven league. Raiders will be competing with Mahomes, Jackson and Watson for next 10 years. Good luck with that.
The Raiders had to deal with John Elway in their division for years, and they actually had a winning record against him in spite of the fact that he went to 5 Super Bowls in that span. It wasn’t because we had Marc Wilson and Jay Schroeder; it was because Howie Long, Greg Townsend, etc. made his life miserable when we matched up with the Broncos.
The Niners came thisclose to knocking off the Chiefs with a quarterback who is arguably no better than Carr, mainly because of their front four. We need a LOT more defense to even have a chance to compete with KC. If we give up say, 3 out of our 5 top picks to get a rookie QB, we’ve set back our defensive rebuild for another year at least.
To do that, you’d better not get a guy who might be a little better than Carr; you’d better get your own Mahomes. I don’t like the odds.
U put it so much better than I ever can totally agree
Bingo. Nothing else matters.
Ugh, I would love it if the Raiders could get Tua, but the loss of those draft picks would hurt a bit. Too many holes to fill on the defensive side of the ball to give up on that. AND, Carr still needs a WR (so everyone tells me) in order to get back to his 2016 form. If the team is going to spend that type of capital, I’d rather they spend it to go get the LB Simmons or a play destroyer on the defensive side of the ball. The team can tread water with Carr and build a good defense, then go out and find the QB to take this team to the next level. The team can win with Carr, it just can’t count on Carr to get the team a win. Mayock and Gruden need to get players in place that allows this team to compete and win. Since the offense last year couldn’t carry the team despite being the more talented side of the ball, the team should build a dominant defense.
“Let’s go get an elite QB” they say…as though they grow on trees easy for the picking. Who thought Rodgers was elite? Mahomes? Brady? It’s a crapshoot. If it’s the final piece needed to get over the hump, then sure, go for it and move up to take one. You can afford to at that point because you have no holes. But mortgage the premium picks needed to fill your roster and hope you hit on an elite QB? If you miss, and most teams do, then you’ve just set yourself back years. The odds of success are low. I’m with MadStork, I don’t like ‘em.
And a good point Matt; the Chiefs already had a pretty complete, playoff-caliber roster when they swung the trade forMahomes.
If we do enough this season as far as bringing in talent, Gruden and Mayock may mortgage the future by giving up whatever necessary the following draft for a guy like Lawrence and keep Carr at least one more season.
What? There is no Elite QB tree? Ha ha! I somewhat agree with you Matt, keep Carr until you have his replacement on the roster and ready to go. The LAST thing this fan wants is the team to dump Carr and not have a QB in place . . . continuously needing to draft a QB can destroy a team (just ask the Browns).
Oh, and MadStork, the Chiefs also had Alex Smith in place at QB until they were sure that Mahomes was ready and “the guy.” Same with Lamar Jackson and Dak Prescott.
Give carr one more season, next draft has Lawrence and fields. If they trade up for anyone it should be Simmons from Clemson. We need a guy like that on the defense more then we need to get rid of carr. Once upon a time ago carr was everyone’s favorite young qb on the rise and then he got hurt. I also remember something like that for drew brees as well.
However Drew did win a SB along the way after the injury. And has played at an extremely high level since the injury. Record breaking actually. His QB play makes the rest of the team better.
But he has had the luxury of being in the same O for years now too.
Yes please let’s start over and next year we will have the number one draft pick. All for a 50 50 chance of a good QB. No need to help the defense or get receivers like KC has.
Everyone knows the Raiders are just one player away from playing in the SB.
If we do end up with Tua, maybe we get some good karma to go with it. Remember the last time we took a Bama QB, he was pretty damn good.
Just sayin