Could the Oakland Raiders use their first of three draft picks tonight on a quarterback?
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Thursday morning that the Oakland brass moved Ohio State QB Dwayne Haskins up their boards late this week, per a source informed of the situation.
Rapoport added that Haskins impressed the Raiders in his workout and could be a consideration at No. 4.
The Raiders have consistently stood behind Derek Carr as the team's franchise signal-caller, but GM Mike Mayock did note at his pre-draft press conference that like "any other position" Oakland would do its homework on the draft's QBs.
"If we found somebody we liked better, or thought had a bigger upside, you've got to do the right thing for the organization," he said at the time.
Might the Raiders believe Haskins provides that bigger upside?
Could it be all smoke to get another team to leap higher than No. 4 for a QB, thereby pushing another talented defender down to Oakland? Perhaps.
The Washington Redskins are reportedly interested in Haskins. Could Jon Gruden be signaling to his brother's team in D.C. they better move up higher if they want that signal-caller? Might it just be posturing?
Oakland needs a cornucopia of help to leap out of the AFC West cellar this offseason. It's on Mayock and Gruden to decide if adding QB high in the draft is the best use of their collected assets.
We'll find out their decision within hours.
Around The NFL is tracking all of the latest buzz on the 84th Annual NFL Draft, which opens today in Nashville. Here's what we're hearing Thursday:
- The Falcons are expected to focus on defense with their first-round pick, and the player they're linked to most is linebacker Devin Bush, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported. Securing the Michigan product might require moving up from No. 14 to inside the top 10, ahead of the Denver Broncos. Clemson defensive tackle Christian Wilkins is another logical Falcons target, Pelissero added.
- The following teams have shown the most interest in trading down in the first round, per Pelissero: the New York Jets (3), Detroit Lions (8), Miami Dolphins (13), Seattle Seahawks (21/29) and Los Angeles Rams (31).
- NFL.com's Michael Silver reported, per several sources, that three players stand firmly above the rest for the Arizona Cardinals: Nick Bosa, Kyler Murray and Quinnen Williams. This rating is the result of inclusive evaluations within the organization and puts multiple scenarios in play for the top overall pick, per Silver.
The Cardinals still might not have decided on their course of action, as Rapoport reported via a source that the team reached out to Williams to tell him it's possible they draft him first.
- The Dolphins have been linked to drafting a quarterback in the first round, and they still might, but teams they've talked to believe they are motivated to trade down from the No. 13 slot, Pelissero reported. The two quarterbacks they've done the most work on are Haskins and Daniel Jones. Rapoport added that Miami has received offers to move back.
- If the Giants don't draft a quarterback at sixth or 17th overall, they might trade back into the first round to get one, according to Rapoport.
GM Dave Gettleman told NFL Network's Kimberly Jones that New York's goal is to come out of the first round with two legitimate starters who can step in immediately. That doesn't mean New York will put off selecting a QB. "The worse place you can be is quarterback hell," he said. "It's a miserable place to be."
- The Steelers have been working the phones in an effort to move up from the No. 20 overall pick, NFL Network's Aditi Kinkhabwala reported. After extending QB Ben Roethlisberger through the 2021 season earlier this week, Pittsburgh is hoping to add a player in the first round who can make an immediate impact.
- Owners of the third overall pick, the New York Jets are interested in trading the selection and Rapoport reports they have received attention to do so, it's just unclear who will be the team that will trade up, the division-rival Buffalo is a possibility.
- The Buffalo Bills have explored moving up in the draft, perhaps for a top defensive lineman, Rapoport reported per sources. Rapoport added the Patriots and Packers could move up in the latter part of the draft for the right player.
