All signs point to Derek Carr being the starting quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders. However, anything can happen at the NFL Draft. Would the organization realistically trade up for a quarterback?
Let’s be clear here, we’re not talking about Jordan Love or Joe Burrow, as the latter would be nearly impossible to get. Rather, the scenario that’s been tossed around is for former Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
It was Josh Schrock of NBC Sports who recently laid out the possibility of Tua landing with the Raiders. Interestingly enough, Schrock also points out that he foresees Tagovailoa off the board by the sixth pick. It’s definitely quite the risk for a signal-player that’s considered damaged goods by some. After all, it was our own Phil Robinson III that pointed out the risk of taking Tua.
Taking Tagovailoa comes with a lot of risks. His 6-1 and 218-pound frame and unafraid playing style aren’t the answer to longevity in the NFL. He runs hard and doesn’t shy away from contact and stands tall in the pocket. Tagovailoa’s only saving grace may be that he came from the famed SEC conference, and competed against pro-caliber talent week in and week out. Is he “brittle”? He’s broken a few bones: His wrist twice, and dislocated/broken his hip and severely sprained his ankle.
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Red Flags Abound For The Raiders
Schrock also alluded to the abuse his body has taken but also maintained that Tagovailoa’s “talent is undeniable.” As far as the scenario itself, it depends on what happens with the top five picks. If those teams pass because of the injuries and the inability to exam players because of the current crisis, he could be there at number seven, perhaps even nine.
No one can deny Tagovailoa’s abilities as they were on full display with the Crimson Tide. Nevertheless, using a top 10 pick on a big “maybe” might be too much for general manager Mike Mayock, but what if head coach Jon Gruden was entirely in charge, would he bite on a trade to move up to get Tua? Schrock shared a final tidbit that some fans might have forgotten, and that’s that before the injuries and Burrow’s ascension, Tagovailoa was slated to be the top pick. If healthy, perhaps the Raiders could steal a potential franchise quarterback however unlikely the scenario seems, for now.
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