2019 NFL Draft: 5 players Raiders could take in Round 1

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PASADENA, CA – JANUARY 01: Ohio State (7) Dwayne Haskins (QB) looks on during the Rose Bowl Game between the Washington Huskies and Ohio State Buckeyes on January 1, 2019, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

4. Dwayne Haskins

If the Raiders don’t select an edge rusher with the No. 4-overall pick it will be because they don’t believe Derek Carr has what it takes to be their franchise quarterback. Oakland would love to draft Kyler Murray, but it’s unlikely he’ll still be on the board when the Raiders’ pick comes up.

Instead, the team could opt to settle for Dwayne Haskins. He’s not as dynamic as Murray as a runner, but he might have more arm talent. The former Ohio State star probably won’t be ready to start right away, but he could turn into an above-average NFL starter if he’s given the proper time to develop.

Coaches in the second year of a 10-year contract have the luxury of letting quarterbacks learn from the sidelines. That’s why Gruden might be willing to roll the dice on Haskins. It wouldn’t be a popular pick, but Gruden has never cared about what other people think.

At the very least, look for the Raiders to spend some serious time and energy evaluating Haskins during the pre-draft process. They’re smart enough to know they can’t eschew the opportunity to select a franchise quarterback if one’s available. The question is whether or not Haskins gets that kind of grade from their talent scouts.

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