Editor’s note: CSNBayArea.com will provide daily content previewing the NFL draft, including position breakdowns, news stories, mock drafts and more. Right now, we’ll analyze draft prospects at quarterback, and whether the Raiders should select one.
The Raiders are set at quarterback. That’s true for a second straight season, something weird to say after the Raiders spent so many years looking for a franchise quarterback.
Derek Carr is a lock to start after making significant strides in his second NFL season. He’s ranked high among the league’s up-and-coming quarterbacks, following a strong statistical campaign that still showed room for growth.
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Matt McGloin is a valued backup with a few starts to his credit, and is capable of taking over in a pinch. The Raiders valued his presence, offering the restricted free agent a second-round contract tender.
Who’s here: Derek Carr, Matt McGloin.
Draft needs: The Raiders only carried two quarterbacks last season, but that number could increase to develop a backup in the future. McGloin will be an unrestricted free agent after 2016, and might want to see if he can find an open quarterback competition somewhere else. Even if he’s viewed as a career backup, he might earn more in a different uniform. The Raiders could use a lower-round pick to draft and develop a backup quarterback. Even if that isn’t the case, the team will need a camp arm at least to get through the preseason without taxing their top two passers.
Good fits: The Raiders won’t use a high pick on a passer, but USC’s Cody Kessler might be a quality option if available way down the line. He comes from the pro-style system and can play well under pressure following a myriad of big games at Southern California. He’s also from Bakersfield, which doubles as Derek Carr’s hometown. That could help the pair jell in future seasons. He could be a late pick. If not, the Raiders could aim for an undrafted free agent and hope to strike silver as they did with McGloin in 2013. Alabama’s Jake Coker could be a late third-day prospect or a priority free agent after the draft.