Is there a way to get top QB without moving up?
We all know the math:
- There are two quarterback considered worthy of taking at the top of the first round of the April draft.
- The Las Vegas Raiders have the No. 6 overall pick.
- The teams with the top three picks, all are quarterback needy.
Thus, it’s been long considered the Raiders will be blocked from drafting one of the top quarterback prospects, Shedeur Sanders of Colorado or Cam Ward of Miami.
Still, could there be a way for Las Vegas to see either Sanders or Ward fall to them.
Yes, there’s a way, but it’s seems unlikely, but there’s a way.
What would need to happen is that two of the top three teams choosing, value overall talent over the need at quarterback. That may be asking a lot.
Recently, Tennessee Titans executive Chad Brinker said the Titans, who own the No. 1 pick, won’t hesitate to take the a generational talent with the pick. That may have been a hint that Tennessee is prepared tp bypass a quarterback and take Colorado Heisman Trophy winning cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter atop of the draft.
For the purpose of this exercise, let’s assume that’s the direction the Titans go in. So, the Raiders would be halfway there.
Then, they need either the Cleveland Browns (they have the No. 2 pick) or the New York Giants (No. 3) to bypass a quarterback taken Penn State pass-rusher Abdul Carter. It could happen. Carter is a beast of a prospect. By the way, the Browns could really use a pass-rusher.
It that happens, the Raiders could be in business since the two teams that pick next, the New England Patriots (No. 4) and the Jacksonville Jaguars (No. 5) don’t have a need at quarterback.
The Raiders’ only worry would be that a quarterback-needy team could jump over them with a trade to the No.4 or No. 5 pick. Teams to watch would include the New York Jets (No. 7), New Orleans Saints (No. 9), Seattle Seahawks (No. 18) and Pittsburgh Steelers (No. 21).
So, there’s a lot that would have to happen for Sanders or Ward to fall into the Raiders’ hands, but it’s not impossible.