Raiders Reportedly Considering a Quarterback at Pick 17 (and What That Report Really Means)

After a few months of silence around the Raiders quarterback room, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on Friday that the Raiders have been scouting draft-eligible quarterbacks closely and would consider taking a quarterback at pick 17(

Ian Rapoport on Twitter: “It seems like a yearly ritual, but once again, the #Raiders did extensive work on all the top QBs, I’m told. If one slides past No. 10, they could be a team to watch to grab a QB and stash for the future. Doubtful that a QB gets to No. 17, but they will have their homework ready. / Twitter”

It seems like a yearly ritual, but once again, the #Raiders did extensive work on all the top QBs, I’m told. If one slides past No. 10, they could be a team to watch to grab a QB and stash for the future. Doubtful that a QB gets to No.

Yes, it’s a familiar narrative, but what inspired the report now, as opposed to being an ongoing narrative over the last several weeks?

There are three possible explanations.

The Raiders want to draft a quarterback to replace Derek Carr..

This is about as unlikely as any scenario to take place in the draft. The draft stage in Cleveland probably has a better chance of falling in. Sure, the Raiders could do like the Packers did a year ago and draft a quarterback high, but taking the best available player in the first round isn’t a luxury they have at the moment. Also, it isn’t that common that the best available player will be a quarterback at pick 17. If anything, quarterbacks tend to be drafted too early.

The Raiders want someone to trade ahead of them for a quarterback.

This scenario makes a lot of sense. The more quarterbacks that are drafted before pick 17 means the chances are greater that a preferred tackle or safety will fall to the Raiders.

The Raiders would like to trade back from pick 17.

If a quarterback does fall to the Raiders, they need to create the illusion that they might draft him. If teams don’t believe Jon Gruden will draft a quarterback, the Raiders lose trade leverage. Notice the teams drafting directly after the Raiders in the first round are (18) Miami, (19) Washington, and (20) Chicago. There is a good chance the Raiders are sending a message to those teams (and the rest of the league) that pick 17 is where they need to be to get a quarterback falling in the draft.

One other note. If the Raiders wanted a quarterback at pick 17, there is no way they release a message to NFL media similar to what Rapoport reported on Friday. Conversely, if the Raiders were trying to hide their interest in drafting a quarterback, it is highly unlikely that Rapoport would have been given the green light from the team to put out such a message.

A national insider doesn’t reach the pinnacle of his or her career by leaking draft agendas.

Enjoy the draft, everyone!

twitter: @raidersbeat