Derek Carr’s excellent season has made him a sought-after commodity for teams in need of a quarterback and could open the door for Raiders to chase Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson.
The Raiders are obviously not reporting any off-season moves. But several NFL insiders expect Raiders to take calls from teams asking about Carr’s availability.
In all measures, Carr performed as one of the top 10 defenders in the NFL operating one of the top 10 attacks last year. With that position and side of the ball defined, Raiders can comfortably maintain the status quo and apply most of their financial and capital resources to improve their defense.
The odds favor you to do just that.
But there is another side to the season that Carr just produced. The increased demand for their services, experts say, could create a scenario in which a switch from three teams would allow Raiders to acquire Watson.
For that to happen, Raiders would have to receive two first-round picks for Carr from a team other than Texans, which they would then pack with their own first-round players in 2021 and 2022 to present an attractive offer of four first round choices. for the Texans by Watson, who allegedly asked to be negotiated.
“The only way to negotiate a quarterback of Carr’s caliber is to have a replacement plan in place that guarantees improvements,” said an industry source.
Watson, who represents an upgrade from Carr, would place the Raiders as a defender in the next decade.
To add Watson, Raiders will need a number of factors to fit in, although industry experts believe that a path may emerge.
It starts with the chase of Carr by several teams.
Among the clubs that can get involved are Colts, Bears, Patriots and Washington Football Team. Depending on what happens in New Orleans, the Saints may also be potential suitors.
“Carr would certainly be a great option for several different teams,” said an NFL executive.
It makes sense that every potential suitor to Carr should ask Watson first. But given the high price the Rams paid to acquire Lions QB Matthew Stafford – 26-year-old Jared Goff, a quarterback with multiple playoff victories and a recent appearance in the Super Bowl, two choices in the first round and a selection in the third round – o The cost of Watson’s numbers is too high for most.
Carr, 29, is a proven NFL QB at a less prohibitive cost. Hence the expectation that several teams will make a pitch for him.
Raiders, as part of their due diligence, intend to at least listen. As several industry insiders have indicated, the market may be ripe for Raiders to receive an attractive offer from the various teams that express interest.
“You can come up with two choices in the first round,” said an NFL source about the return the Raiders could get for Carr. “He is not Stafford, but he is younger and has a fair contract, so I could see two numbers one.”
Although it looks good in theory, it also leaves Raiders in the position of having to replace Carr if they agree to move him. Marcus Mariota is still in the cast, but it is presumptuous to assume that he could come close, let alone duplicate, Carr’s production or his command of Jon Gruden’s attack.
Armed with additional draft choices, the Raiders could advance through the April draft to select one of the promising quarterback players. But that raises the question of why Gruden would risk an unproven young man after spending so much time in Carr’s development?
Which brings us back to the 25 year old Watson, who fulfills the requirement to provide an update for Carr.
The odds are that the Raiders will hold Carr and will begin work on building a defense of the caliber of the playoffs.
But the chance to go from very good to great does not appear very often. And if things go well, Raiders may be in a position to do just that.
Contact Vincent Bonsignore at [email protected]. Follow @VinnyBonsignore on twitter.