Raiders: 3 potential Derek Carr replacements we haven’t mentioned yet

2. Jameis Winston

As we sit right now, Winston is still a New Orleans Saint. But he acknowledged the question about his future over the weekend at the HBCU Legacy Bowl, when talking to NFL Network. A subsequent report from Larry Holder of The Athletic says Winston’s days as a Saint may be numbered.

The most noteworthy and memorable, good or bad, part of Winston’s NFL career came in his five seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after being drafted first overall out of Florida State in 2015. Even his most productive season, his last one with the team in 2019, was the quintessential mix of good (5,109 passing yards, 33 touchdowns) and bad (30 interceptions).

Winston took a step back to sign with the Saints in 2020, where served as Drew Brees’ backup, learn behind Brees and from then-head coach Sean Payton that season. The following season, before a torn ACL ended his season, Winston played some of the most efficient, effective football of his career (102.8 passer rating, 14 touchdowns and three interceptions in seven starts).

Winston only played three games last season for the Saints, before multiple fractures in his back and an ankle injury led to him giving way to Andy Dalton. Dalton didn’t play badly, but it was still a bit of a mystery why Winston wasn’t given another shot once he was healthy enough to suit up.

What kind of market Winston will find if/when he’s available is sneaky interesting. But he shouldn’t be expensive, on a one-year deal or a multi-year deal, and the Raiders should be starting to consider if they’d make an offer.