The Oakland Raiders have been gifted with the hardest schedule in the 2014 season. Currently working on rebuilding the roster, that is not likely the news fans want to hear. However, general manager Reggie McKenzie is keeping the bigger picture in mind and as the NFL Draft approaches in two weeks, he is thinking about next year and many more after that.
The Raiders have their starting quarterback for 2014. Matt Schaub was acquired as a stop-gap option so the Raiders could develop their future star for a season or two. That player does not appear to be Matt McGloin and will instead be a rookie the Raiders will either draft in the first round or possibly the third. The team can take their draft in multiple directions, many of which will be dictated by what teams like the Houston Texans and Cleveland Browns do before them. With trading up likely off the table, which quarterback is the favorite for the Raiders?
According to Bleacher Report, the Raiders are looking more poised to draft Teddy Bridgewater in the first round if players like Sammy Watkins and Jadeveon Clowney are off the board, which is likely guarantee. After being considered one of the best quarterbacks prior to the 2013 college football season, Bridgewater has been flying under the radar as Johnny Manziel and Blake Bortles get more of the attention. However, in the right situation, Bridgwater might be the most NFL-ready quarterback in the bunch.
McKenzie is aware that having Schaub buys the team time. Another situation for the team could be drafting Zach Mettenberger or Aaron Murray in a later round and getting one of the best wide receivers in the first round. The team needs both and will address the position needs in the first two rounds. The wide receiver class is considered to be the deepest group. While Sammy Watkins and Mike Evans will be first off the board, there is a good chance the players like Kelvin Benjamin, Odell Beckham Jr and Marqise Lee could drop down to the second round.
If Bleacher Report is correct, Bridgewater will sit behind Schaub and learn for a season. The veteran is essentially on a one-year audition and has told reporters he is comfortable becoming a mentor to anyone the team drafts for the future.