The Oakland Raiders have quickly become one of the most intriguing teams entering the NFL draft, as the franchise acquired backup quarterback Matt Flynn in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks, changing up their main priorities drastically as the draft approaches in a few weeks.
According to ESPN.com, the Raiders traded two draft picks for Flynn, sending their fifth round pick in the 2014 draft and a conditional pick in the 2015 draft to the Seattle Seahawks. Flynn will compete with Terrelle Pryor for the starting job, while last year's primary starter Carson Palmer is being traded to the Arizona Cardinals, according to reports.
Flynn originally signed a three-year, $19.5 million contract before last season, but never got a chance to start after being beaten out by Russell Wilson in training camp. The Seahawks took care of two things with the trade of Flynn in getting his $5.25 million base salary off the books and also getting draft picks back after having to deal some precious ones in the Percy Harvin trade earlier in the offseason.
Palmer spent parts of two seasons with the Raiders after being traded from the Cincinnati Bengals and nearly got the team to the playoffs in 2011 and passed for over 4,000 yards last season while the team went just 4-12. The trade for Flynn basically takes the Raiders out of the running for Geno Smith in the draft, leaving them a number of options they can do.
The team has a number of needs on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball, including at cornerback, defensive line, offensive line, wide receiver and tight end, where there are two elite prospects in Zach Ertz and Taylor Eifert. The draft is in a few weeks from April 25 to the 27th and here are some options for the Raiders, who have the number three selection in the first round and three picks in the first five rounds.
Geno Smith, West Virginia, QB: Yeah, the Raiders drafted Terrelle Pryor and traded for Matt Flynn, but that doesn't necessarily mean they won't take a chance on Smith if he passes by Jacksonville at two. They would be foolish to do so and probably ridiculed, but if they see Smith as a transcendent talent, they could keep him behind Flynn for two years and then hand him the reigns. He threw for 25 touchdowns as West Virginia last season before throwing his first interception and he has been excellent in private workouts and at the combine.
Eric Fisher, Central Michigan, LT: Fisher is considered to be the second-best offensive lineman in the draft behind Luke Joeckel in the draft and if he slips by the Jaguars at two the Raiders could find themselves with a left tackle for the next 10 years. He is a big and athletic player that can possibly play at both tackle positions and would give the Raiders a boost in the running game immediately.
Luke Joeckel, Texas A&M, LT: Joeckel is unlikely to get to the Raiders, but if he slides, the team would be wise to take him. The tackle is looked at as one of the best prospects in the draft and the Chiefs are expected to take him with the number one overall pick as the top player in the pool. He blocked for Heisman winner Johnny Manziel last season and would be NFL ready.
Dion Jordan, Oregon, LB: The Raiders signed both Kevin Burnett and Nick Roach in the offseason, but the team still needs depth on the defense, making Jordan an interesting option. The linebacker is one of the most athletic players in the draft and the Ducks defense improved greatly while he was on the field. Three might be too high for him, but if the Raiders reach for a talent like his it would be worth it.