The Oakland Raiders and their quarterback situation has been one of the most talked about topics during the 2013 offseason, as the team has Terrelle Pryor and Carson Palmer, but are also in position to take a young quarterback, including Matt Barkley or Geno Smith.
The Raiders have the third overall pick in the draft and according to ESPN.com, the team is interested in the quarterback, but it is still unclear if he will make it past the Jacksonville Jaguars at number two. Barkley is considered to be the number two quarterback in the draft behind Smith and since his pro day last week he is starting to move up boards for some teams. (UPDATE: ESPN is reporting that Flynn is moving for two draft picks in 2013 and 2014.)
Barkley hadn't been able to work out for scouts at all this offseason since injuring his shoulder in November, but he looked crisp while working with Robert Woods, completing 55 of 60 passes in the rehearsed workout. Barkley is 6-foot-2 and 227-pounds, giving him ideal size at the position and he put up some fantastic numbers at USC, leaving the team as the all-time leader in passing yards and touchdowns.
There is a chance that Barkley could be the first quarterback drafted, but that depends on what the top group of teams decide to do. The Jaguars have been rumored to be interested in Smith and Barkley, but they also have been scouting some defensive players, including Dee Milliner and Shariff Floyd.
Jacksonville was linked to Matt Flynn as well after reports came out that the Raiders and Bills were also in contact with the Seattle Seahawks, but so far no movement has happened on the trade front. The Raiders are reportedly the front runners, but they could decide to go another direction depending on what Jacksonville and Buffalo does leading up to the draft.
All three teams have held workouts for Smith and each could decide to draft Barkley if he is available and Smith goes early. The Raiders tried to come to an agreement to get Carson Palmer to take a pay cut, but so far the quarterback has refused and ESPN reporter Adam Schefter says it is "highly unlikely" that he will.
Palmer is set to make $13 million next season and unless the team can convince him to take a pay cut, he likely will be released or traded, possibly to the Bills even. The Bills need a new starting quarterback to take over for Ryan Fitzpatrick, who was a disappointment after signing a six-year extension in 2011.
Gus Bradley is the new coach in Jacksonville and he said he felt Barkley looked good in his workout, as did Oakland general manager Reggie McKenzie, who said it appeared Barkley wasn't hampered by his shoulder. Barkley is intriguing as he likely would have been a top 5 pick last season, but he decided to come back for his senior year.
Recent USC quarterbacks have not given Barkley the best impression heading into the NFL, as Mark Sanchez and Matt Leinart have struggled. Barkley is looking to buck that trend as he moves to the professional ranks.
