The Raiders will be looking for a franchise quarterback in the offseason, but based on their projected position in the draft, they most likely won’t be within reach of one of the top quarterback prospects in the draft.
Additionally, the Vikings are expected to extend Sam Darnold’s contract or use the franchise tag on him, and if that happens the top veteran quarterback in line to hit free agency won’t be an option for the Raiders, either.
Most likely, the Raiders are going to have to get creative in their search for a quarterback and The Athletic’s Vic Tafur believes their next quarterback isn’t going to come in the draft.
“I think there’s a good chance that those three guys won’t happen for the Raiders,” Tafur said of Shedeur Sanders, Cam Ward and Darnold on the Just Win podcast this week.
“So what happens next?” Tafur continued. “I think you look at trade options. I think it’s going to be through trade or through free agency to get their starter for next season.”
If it comes down to free agency or a trade, let’s take a look at the Raiders’ top options to fill the quarterback void left by… well, no one, actually.
In no particular order, here they are. The 5 best non-draft quarterback options for the Raiders that would come with some level of long-term upside.
Hendon Hooker, 26, Detroit Lions
Hooker was a potential first-round pick, but a torn ACL caused him to fall to the third round of the 2023 draft.
Since being drafted by the Lions, no one has heard from Hooker but at the very least he has been around Detroit offensive coordinator Ben Johnson for the last two years. That’s definitely a positive.
Justin Fields, 25, Pittsburgh Steelers
Fields will be a free agent after the season and his days of being considered a starting quarterback in the NFL appear to be in the rear view.
That being said, they were saying that about Darnold last year, too.
J.J. McCarthy, 21, Minnesota Vikings
McCarthy was the 10th-overall pick in last year’s draft and the reason he’s on this list instead of Darnold is because no one thinks the Vikings are going to let Darnold leave in free agency.
Depending on how long the Vikings choose to commit to Darnold, McCarthy could find himself in a situation where the Vikings would be willing to trade him.
McCarthy would be a home run if the Raiders could swing a trade for him. It would presumably take at least a first-round pick to pry McCarthy away from the Vikings. Probably more.
Zach Wilson, 25, Denver Broncos
Wilson has become an afterthought in most NFL circles and will be a free agent after the 2024 season.
Since every quarterback that leaves the Jets seems to find success elsewhere…
Why can’t Wilson, the 2nd-overall pick in the 2021 draft, do the same?
Jameis Winston, 30, Cleveland Browns
Winston is 10 years into his NFL career, but he’s only 30 years old.
He’ll turn 31 next month, but Winston makes the list because his career upside is arguably higher than one or two of the names listed above.
Throughout his career, Winston has played like Tom Brady on one drive and Brady Quinn the next.
If Jameis is someday delivered from his addiction to pick-sixes, he has the ability to be among the better quarterbacks in the league. He also has a personality that would be welcomed by every locker room in the NFL.
Honorable Mention: Derek Carr
What set of circumstances would it take for the Raiders and Carr to decide they would be a good fit for each other again?
It’s unlikely. Really unlikely. Really, really unlikely.
But is it impossible?
x: @raidersbeat
Bring in Ben Johnson to work with AOC ( Goff jr) … move AP to DC after PG leaves . Draft Jeanty with first pick and Milroe, Gabriel , or Allar with second pick . If it doesn’t work out take Arch Manning at #1 next year. We need an offensive minded head coach …. And No More Patriot Way Please !!
LMFAO
What solutions you got for us Greg besides LYFAO ?
Yeah. They are in every related story and comment. You started with a lucid fact based choice but then flew off the rails. JJ is the best short and long term choice. He’s as good as ANY drafted last season and this season by far.
How I think we should get him will piss off all the fanboys. I don’t believe in keeping anyone that whines about being here. Jacobs, Adams,Mack, GONE good riddance. The way the entire defense has been playing like a cohesive unit without Maxx speaks volumes. I’d trade him for JJ and a couple of first round picks. Maybe drop a pick and throw in Addison. It fits their need and ours completely .
Dick head? lol add thin skin to what I said.. happy new year!
Sorry! That last part was for Philly cheese.
Greg … I wouldn’t trade our best player and top 5 player in the league for an unproven rookie qb coming off multiple knee surgeries. Who was coached, mentored by our division rival. Harbaugh Knows his strengths and weaknesses like no other. There are other ways to get a comparable QB than doing this . I wouldn’t have traded Mack either … how did that work out ? Mack sacked AOC six times in a game last year .. yes FN 6 ! All the guys you mentioned were our best players and getting rid of them made the RaaaDuhs worse not better. I would take them all back ( not DC , good guy but too inconsistent a QB) Some were all pros, literally the best and had a right to complain about crappy management. Wouldn’t you complain about Josh McDonalds decision making?! The compensation we got was basically squandered, other than Jacobs( who deserved to get paid btw). They paid fricken washed Jimmy G $25 mill. Jacobs was our best player that year. He was a better rb this year than anyone rb the RaaaDuhs had. Then Gruden didn’t know how to shop for the “groceries” by himself. Had Al Davis, Bruce Allen , and Ron Wolf helping him the first time around . Gruden part 2 was Just more poor management that was rightfully criticized.
“ Off The Rails” you say? If you know the OLD RAIDERS .., AL was known for doing successful, unconventional things . Bringing in Ben Johnson and keeping AP as DC and head coach of the D would be unconventional for sure . Sell the two of them on team coaching, a fricken Raider round table, telesco, Johnson , AP the three Pirateteers .. all for one and one for all , leave your ego’s at the door. Because it’s about Just Win Baby here again and nothing else going forward. Johnson basically has the best offense in the league with a QB who isn’t that mobile. Heck AOC reminds me of Goff , kinda have the same skill set. . AOC is not there yet but maybe Johnson could get him to where Goff is? If not get Arch Manning next year. We need an offensive guru in here because both Reid and Payton are, and hardbaugh just wins … and you have to out score these guys to win . AP is perfect to lead the D , they love the guy and play hard for him . Lastly, I was thinking Jeanty , but after yesterday it’s totally gotta be Skattebo .. the RaaaDuhs need this guy . Don’t let harbaugh , Reid , or Payton take him . Him and bowers and Maxx with AP and Johnson that’s the culture and ballers the RaaaDuhs have been missing.
Carr. Was that Derek or David.
lol
Your article and you should be a poster child to the,”just say no”, to drugs campaign.
J J or Zack would be good… O’connell is impressive with this Offensive Coordinator and the whole Offensive team is scoring and moving the ball… just wish they were all together at training camp… there was a lot of good Quarterback free agents last year and look who the Raiders picked up… and some are in the playoffs… the fool who let J Jacobs go is probably the one who picked up and started gardener M… bring back Carr if it’s possible… not his fault the patriot way didn’t work for the Raiders… Jimmy G played good for the niners but the patriot way didn’t work with him wearing a Raiders uniform… front line needs to work on short yardage for scoring a touchdown… if O’Connell can beat the chargers he and the Offensive Coordinator deserves the start that he should have got in the start of the year… he would have got the blame for the losses so it kinda worked out now that they have an Opportunity to move on with the change of Coordinator… A Stadium that size in California with nothing but Raider Fans that’s home field advantage…RAIDERS… CALIFORNIA IS RAIDER NATION… looking forward to beating the Chargers and evaluating O’Connell against a playoff team… Finish Strong and Positive… need an everydown back and a Nose Guard on Defense to stop the run…RAIDERS!!!
You’re a legend in your own mind. And be really good in your lunch room fantasy.
Carr? Lmfao….. and you want to keep a RB that wants 13+ million per that doesn’t want to be there. Proof, he comes back after holding out fat and out of shape. He should’ve lost his starting job then. You fanboys a hard dose of reality. You were probably crying when we traded Mack too
This is one of the lamest and most nonsensical articles I have ever read
I do not believe Carr is out of the Question. Since we know McDummy was willing to have a injured Jimmy G. who do as told. Not play what he see. Carr has the most comeback wins in the league with the Raiders. Why not he loved the Raiders as do Crosby. I been wanting Hendon Hooker, when AOC, went down. Our defense was really injured prone this year. Getsey system was very bad. No run game or passing game.
I don’t do fantasy and I’m not a fanboy… most of all I’m not a Dickhead who criticizes other Raider Fans…
That thin skin just ripped open didn’t it? Too funny
To bad you don’t have a life… did someone drop you on your head… you sound like a teenager…