The Oakland Raiders can really go a number of ways in the draft this May, but many are assuming a quarterback is in their future in the first two rounds. Matt Schaub is officially the starting player for the team, but general manager Reggie McKenzie is very aware that he is merely a stop-gap option and not a long-term player for Oakland. With Schaub on essentially a one-year audition, the need to groom the future is necessary, but the Raiders might not be targeting the players everyone expects.
Barring any trades up, the Oakland Raiders do not draft high enough to land Johnny Manziel or Blake Bortles. That could leave the team with Teddy Bridgewater, but NFL sources are reporting that the former Louisville quarterback is no longer a favorite for Oakland. Recently, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. dropped the quarterback to the second round after a lackluster scouting combine and Pro Day. That means the Raiders might not feel the pressure to draft a quarterback in the first round.
McKenzie is reportedly taking a serious look at second round options like Aaron Murray and Zach Mettenberger as potential picks. Despite both players having suffered season-ending ACL injuries, both wowed at their Pro Days, showing they are not far from being fully healthy. With Schaub on the roster, there is no rush to get either Murray or Mettenberger on the field and both would have time to develop and get healthy before eventually taking over.
Not drafting a quarterback in the first round would free the Raiders up to take a wide receiver, another position they desperately need to fill with a star player. The Raiders do not have a sure-fire No. 1 option and if Schaub is going to succeed, he needs as many quality targets as he can get. The Raiders have looked at Sammy Watkins, Mike Evans and Marqise Lee. All three players would be excellent options.
Before the Raiders can finalize their quarterback options, they must take care of the ones on their roster. McKenzie continues to shop Terrelle Pryor in a potential trade, but so far there are no takers and there likely will not be. Pryor will have to be released unless something happens before Monday. McKenzie noted that is not the ideal situation, but might be the only one available.
