The Oakland Raiders quickly went from a quarterback certainty to a certain competition following the NFL draft, as the team was fit to go into next season with Matt Flynn as the starter, but after drafting Tyler Wilson in the fourth round the position is in flux and could end up with someone else under center.
According to ESPN.com, the selection of Wilson in the fourth round with the number 112 pick signals pressure for current quarterbacks Matt Flynn and Terrelle Pryor, as the Raiders had a number of needs to address and still took the former Arkansas starter. The Raiders ditched Carson Palmer with a trade to the Cardinals and now Wilson will get the chance to compete for the starting job, as will former Hilton Head Prep QB Michael Hermann, who was invited to rookie camp for Oakland.
Some analysts had Wilson as the top quarterback in the draft over names like Matt Barkley, Ryan Nassib and EJ Manuel and he had a solid season last year while passing for 3,387 yards with 21 touchdowns and 13 interceptions and he was even better in 2011 when the Razorbacks made a bowl game and he threw for 24 scores. The Raiders made a point to draft on offense, taking Colorado tight end Nick Kasa, Central Florida running back Latavius Murray and Tennessee tight end Mychal Rivera to add to the roster that already had Denarius Moore and Darren McFadden.
Wilson is one of the more accurate starters in the draft, which makes him an even more intriguing pick, since Dennis Allen's offense operates on precise throws. Wilson isn't far behind Flynn and Pryor experience wise. As Flynn has made just two starts in the NFL and Pryor has only made one, giving the camp workouts and summer program some added significance for all three players. McKenzie is also planning on bringing in a fourth name to compete and that could be Hermann if he sticks on after minicamp.
The Raiders have now had much luck at quarterback since drafting JaMarcus Russell number one overall and the team has whiffed on names like Andrew Walter and Marques Tuiasosopo in 2000. The team tried to stockpile some offense after losing leading receiver Brandon Myers to the Giants and the addition of the two tight ends and Wilson could help that. Flynn will be 28-years-old and Wilson should have the chance to compete for a starting job if not this season then probably next season. He could be the option for the future after Flynn, as Pryor has shown he still needs a good deal of work.