The Raiders are widely expected to take Fernando Mendoza with the no.1 pick in the draft, but Tom Brady and company have also been mocked to take Dante Moore if the 20-year-old Oregon quarterback declares for the draft.
Another quarterback that hasn’t declared for the draft, and isn’t expected to, is Arch Manning. But according to ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky, the Raiders would take Manning with the first pick if the Texas quarterback changes his mind about going to the NFL.
“Not even close. He’d be the runaway no. 1 pick,” Orlovsky said on the Dan Patrick Show on Wednesday.
“Arch Manning is kind of like the throwback 1970s quarterback with modern day training and nutrition,” Orlovsky continued. “I’m a huge fan of this guy. He physically remarkably gifted. He’s intelligent when it comes to the football understanding of speed and space. I think he’s wired the right way. When you watch him on the sideline, he’s ultra-competitive. I think he’s weathered a lot. When he [goes to the NFL], he’s going to have weathered so many storms, and we know that’s a huge deal.”
Asked specifically about the Raiders and Brady, Orlovsky said “the pick would already be made.”
An indication that from his standpoint, Brady would without question go with Manning over Mendoza or Moore.
According to the NFL website, January 14 is the deadline for underclassmen to declare for the draft, so technically, Manning has another week to change his mind about going pro.
There has been no indication that Manning might still be considering the draft, but the Manning family has been known to orchestrate where their children are drafted, so if the Raiders (or Jets?) are high on their list, declaring this year could make sense.
Obviously, it’s highly unlikely, but interesting statement from Orlovsky, nevertheless.
Hypothetically, if Manning entered the draft, who would YOU prefer the Raiders to draft?
Your comments always welcomed in the comment section below.
x: @raidersbeat
Unquestionably he would be my first pick.
Yeah right?