The Oakland Raiders like what Derek Carr has done this season, but for 2015 if they make a change and hire Jim Harbaugh, the team could look at a new quarterback situation and a trade for Robert Griffin III or Jay Cutler could be an option along with names like Brian Hoyer, Michael Vick and Mark Sanchez as free agents.
The Raiders are near the bottom of the standings once again and they are just 2-12 on the season and could be in line to get one of the top picks. Carr has been solid after being a second round pick, but the team may feel that adding a bigger name or a veteran will be a better option. The Raiders are building for the future and Carr has shown that he can handle playing QB in the NFL, but if the Raiders bring in a new coach, which is an expected move, whoever gets hired may want to reevaluate the situation.
Jim Harbaugh has been mentioned as a potential option for the Raiders and that comes as he is expected to get pushed aside by the 49ers. The Raiders may have to trade with the Niners to do it, as Harbaugh has time left on his deal, but he could be worth it if the team wants a quick turnaround. Harbaugh did that in San Fran after taking over and he did the same at Stanford as well before he went to the NFL.
The Raiders roster is up in the air and that could mean Carr gets pushed aside depending on who comes in and takes over. Cutler is an option, as the Raiders will have a ton of cap space coming up, while RG3 also could be on the trading block. Cutler or Griffin would be interesting options, while Vick, Sanchez and Hoyer could be possibilities on the free agent market. Hoyer will get some attention, while Sanchez has had an up and down season with the Eagles.
The Raiders are once again set to finish in the bottom of the AFC West and they are just 2-12 this season and looking at a top three pick potentially. Many have speculated that Amari Cooper will be a target for the team, although they could look at Marcus Mariota or Jameis Winston. It's unlikely the team goes for a young QB again, but things could change depending on who is brought in as head coach. The team ranks 24th in the league in passing yards per game this season and 32nd in rushing yards and that is where the focus should be in the offseason.
The Raiders have been rebuilding for years and if they bring in someone like Harbaugh, they will have a strong foundation to work with. Harbaugh is a coach that has proven he can turn teams around in quick time, as he did that in Stanford and he absolutely did that with the Niners. Some people forget, but the Niners brined through numerous coaches and missed the playoffs while being basically irrelevant for a decade before Harbaugh got there. The Raiders have the chance for a complete overhaul this offseason and Harbaugh could be the face of it.
