2014 NFL Draft Rumors: ‘Smitten’ Oakland Raiders want Derek Carr in first round

The quarterbacks in the 2014 NFL draft have generated a great deal of intrigue about where the top players like Johnny Manziel, Teddy Bridgewater, Blake Bortles and Derek Carr will be drafted when the draft commences on Thursday evening.

The Oakland Raiders are believed to be interested in drafting a quarterback in this year’s draft to initially serve as the backup to Matt Schaub and eventually compete for the starting job. The No. 5 pick is too high to high to take a quarterback there, but don’t rule out the Raiders trading down in the first round as they did last year when they dropped from the No. 3 pick, and if they do trade down, CBSSports’ Jason La Canfora writes it could be for former Fresno State quarterback Derek Carr.

"“In Oakland, I hear owner Mark Davis is smitten with quarterback Derek Carr, and that pressure could be mounting on the front office to take him in the first round. Now, No. 5 overall is awful high, but if you hear about the Raiders trying like heck to move back — as they did a year ago before selecting DJ Hayden, who some viewed as a reach that high — I’d start penciling in Carr as the possible pick. Keep an eye on that.”"

The Raiders may have a dance partner in their efforts to trade down as the Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions, who pick at No. 9 and No. 10, have stated their intentions to move up into the draft. If the Raiders trade down, that’s your clue that Carr could be their pick.