2014 NFL Draft Rumors: Oakland Raiders open to drafting quarterback in first round?

Aug 23, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; General view of an Oakland Raiders helmet on the field during the game against the Chicago Bears at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

The expectations/predictions of what the Oakland Raiders plan to do with the fifth pick in the upcoming 2014 NFL Draft has been all over the map in recent months.

Some have suggested they’re looking to trade the pick, others have hinted they plan to draft a quarterback while some have said the Raiders will pass on a quarterback all together (at least in the first round).

That’s not the public stance of general manager Reggie McKenzie though who told the Mercury News that he’s going to draft whomever he deems to be the best available player, be it a quarterback or not.

"-Q: Does signing Schaub mean it’s less likely that you take a quarterback with your first-round pick?-McKENZIE: Absolutely not. Absolutely not. We’re still going to continue to evaluate and draft hopefully some big-time players, especially with that first pick.We’re going to get the best player, if it happens to be a quarterback, so be it. We’re not going to reach around and draft by position. We’re not going to do that."

For what it’s worth, McKenzie wouldn’t answer any questions about the rumored interest in Derek Carr.

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