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Too bad the Raiders aren’t in the news right now. Would’ve made for a much better mailbag.
Anyway, here’s what you guys threw my way this week. Let’s have at it.
1. @JPERO_15: What is your personal 40 time and how does it compare to other journalists?
I’ve never been timed in a 40, but I will say this: One of my good friends in college (Rick, I know you’re reading this) always said he’d smoke me in a race. We finally raced late in our senior year and I left him in my dust. So if I run like I did that day, I think I could hit low 5s. I think that would fare pretty well against other journalists, but there might be some speedsters out there in press boxes across the country that I don’t know about.
2. @aeadams17: Devin Bush or Devin White a better fit for the raiders? I don’t think White drops past 10 but do you feel he is an option at 4 or should they wait and see if Bush is still around at 24/27?
I like White, but he’ll be long gone by 24. And I think he’s a bit of a reach at four. Maybe he’s a trade-down option if the Raiders move back a couple picks. Snagging Bush late in the first round would be a good pick.
3. @NewKungFuKenny: What’s with the “raiders are shopping Carr” talks?
I got plenty of questions like this, so this will be the one I answer. What I can say is I truly don’t believe they are shopping him, and I said “believe” because you never really know what’s going on inside Jon Gruden’s head. I know what Bleacher Report said and I know what Peter King said on the Dan Patrick Show, but after a week in Indy I fully expect Carr to be the Raiders’ quarterback in 2019. Gruden said Wednesday that Carr is “our franchise quarterback,” and from being around Gruden often for the last year-plus, I believe him. Of course he said he wasn’t looking to trade Khalil Mack and Amari Cooper, so we won’t know in absolute certainty who will be the Raiders’ quarterback in 2019 until the Raiders use their first pick on April 25. Yes, Gruden loves Kyler Murray, but who wouldn’t? His affinity for Murray, and whatever that has to do with Carr, won’t matter anyway. Murray will go No. 1, and it won’t be to the Raiders since they’d never give up what it would require to move up three spots. Even if Gruden likes Dwayne Haskins better, I still strongly believe the Raiders aren’t looking to trade Carr at this point in time, they won’t eventually trade him and he will be the Raiders’ starting quarterback for their final season in Oakland.
4. @SportsWithChris: What’s the asking price for Antonio Brown? In your opinion, do you see the Raiders making the move?
Reports say it’s a first-round pick. And yes, I do. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if the Raiders trade the 27th pick for Brown. Maybe they get lucky with Brown driving down his trade value through these nonsensical public comments and only get him for the 35th pick.
5. @qb_DRAPER: I think it’s Bosa or Quinnen only. If those two are gone (which they will be) can we possibly trade back w/ someone? Tons of defensive depth in the draft.
If Josh Allen is there at four, you take him.
6. @Breezzy90s: Chances we don’t draft a QB and go for defense with the 1st!?
I think there’s a 99.9% chance that happens.
7. @reason4sports: Big splash in FA? Will Raiders use next year’s 1st to load up in 1st this year?
The Raiders aren’t just one year away from contending, hence why I don’t see them making a free-agency splash and spending big on one player this year or parting with one of their first-round picks next year to get more in the draft this year.
8. @chappy23us: Can Gruden resist trading for AB? IMO he’s not worth the trouble when you factor in how far away franchise is from being competitive
I’ll say this: Gruden really, really likes Brown. And he’s probably the best receiver in the NFL. Forget age, he has six straight 100-catch seasons, an NFL record, and led the league with 15 touchdown catches in a “down” year in 2018. He might just be worth the headaches, if he even brings them all with him to Oakland.
9. @CL_AudioRaider: Doesn’t it make sense for the Raiders to draft White from LSU to anchor the middle of that defense and help to with the TE coverage problem? Versus a DE or DB
Sure it makes sense, but the only way they get White is if they trade down a couple picks in the first round. Even then they still might go for an edge rusher like Montez Sweat or Clelin Ferrell.
10. @KU_Tats_CCars: Ed Oliver, everything you can tell us.
He talked about bull semen with reporters. That was my main takeaway. Oh, and he’s also a good football player. Like White, probably only a Raider if they trade down and aren’t sold on any of the edge rushers available.
11. @KhalilDrogo: Whether they do or don’t draft him, do you think D.K. Metcalf is worth a top five pick?
No. Top 10? Yes. But not top five.
12. @blitzchk: Aside from Metcalf: who would be the best fit for silver and black for a deep threat?
I like N’Keal Harry from Arizona State or Marquise Brown from Oklahoma.
13. @armenta9411: Who impressed you most, and not the ones you knew were gonna be impressive.
I didn’t know Metcalf would run that fast. Andy Isabella’s stock continues to rise, too, after he tied for the best 40 in Indy at 4.31. And Quinnen Williams can move, man.
14. @RaiderBionic: Do you have the all 60 list of who the Raiders met with?
Yes (just kidding).
15. @Raider_Watch: The Raiders could acquire more draft assets by trading for Bortles or Tannehill contracts + drafts and then cutting them (a la Browns/Texans 2017 trade). I need a cap specialist to tell us how much these respective teams could save against the cap. I can’t get an answer.
Just keep Derek Carr and don’t get cute.
16. @JesseLatterell: Any players have a huge impact on the Raiders? Who did they seem to really like?
Mayock is keeping his thoughts on specific guys on lock down. We know Gruden likes Metcalf and Murray, and that’s about it.
17. @willieg21: Any 3rd round, 4th round diamonds in the rough @ Indy this year?
Keep an eye on Charleston defensive end John Cominsky…
18. @ZeektheBarber: Please tell me we’re not thinking Gary
I don’t even think Jon Gruden knows what exactly Jon Gruden is thinking.
19. @HenrySmith39: Could they take sweat or burns with the no4 pick?
Sweat would be a slight reach, Burns a bigger reach. Sweat is probably a trade-down option and Burns might still be there late in the first round.
20. @salsiwerdna: You think raiders stay at four or take a deal to move back? Draft is too deep and if somebody offers one or two extra picks (3rd or better), I’m sure Gruden would eat it up.
I think they stay at four since Murray will go first and the Raiders will get either Allen or Williams.
21. @ginolucero1: Look at worlds best Raider room 2 via you tube
OK.
22. @mashman4077: No qb talk or brown. Give us something new
Sorry, only Derek Carr and Antonio Brown talk allowed in this mailbag.
23. @Coach_JRam81: I hope they don’t fall in love with “workout warriors” do you think Mayock can make Gruden match the numbers to the tape? Also, I used to hate the idea of Bell, but I’d rather have then sign Bell over trading for Brown, agree?
They fell in love with workout warrior Obi Melifonwu two years ago and we saw how that turned out. Good point. And I’d rather sign Bell than trade for Brown, too.
24. @AINTnothinNICE: Best guess on the Raiders WR depth chart after the draft and free agency?
1. Antonio Brown, 2. Marquise Brown, 3. Jordy Nelson, 4. Marcell Ateman
25. @DerekEvans20: Any chance you see Raiders get AB and Bell?
I don’t think they’d invest that much money in just two guys given their wide range of holes.
26. @aaronraidersfan: Give up #24 & #27 to move up for Metcalf?
No way.
27. @InYourBrain42: Who is your sleeper at WR & CB?
Andy Isabella from UMass and Rock Ya-Sin from Temple
28. @ShaneJacob19: From talking to different people during the combine, who’s the player you get the sense will not go past the Raiders and will be selected by them?
I truly believe either Allen or Williams will be a Raider at No. 4.
29. @blahblah916bruh: On what you seen. Give us your guess on position needs
Top five? Edge rusher, wide receiver, safety, linebacker, right tackle.
30. @horton992: Who measured metcalf’s body fat %? Nfl realizes 1.6% is legitimately an amount that would mean he’s basically dead or having organ failure right? We aren’t that stupid
That’s what I’ve heard some people say. For what it’s worth, he said he was at 1.9% after NFL Network reported 1.6%.
31. @MikeLaker312: Your prediction, we get A.B or nah?
Yes.
32. @riddikulouz: What position should be an absolute must in FA that you maybe don’t see us filling out in the draft?
Linebacker.
33. @JimMooreUSA: Is Montez Sweat a top 5 pick?
Not quite, but he’ll go in the top 10.
34. @HALLOWEENSEASON: Will Al Davis’s Ghost be make the pic at #4? (you know who the guy who makes people dying from hunger strikes look fat).
Al Davis would run a sub-four 40 getting that Metcalf card in.
35. @R8DRREVENGE: Do you think the poor defensive performance in 2018 is more a reflection on the execution or the schemes?
More so the execution. Paul Guenther is a good defensive coordinator with bad players.
