Las Vegas Raiders should make their move for a franchise quarterback

The Las Vegas Raiders have two first-round picks in the 2020 NFL Draft. They should package them into one.

After spending 25 seasons in Oakland upon their return from Los Angeles, the Raiders are now heading for Las Vegas. While head coach Jon Gruden is a personality worth trumpeting, the team is without a superstar to build its brand around for the move.

Derek Carr has been the quarterback since 2014, but doesn’t offer any upside. At 29 years old, he’s the epitome of average. Carr can lead the Las Vegas Raiders into the playoffs, but he’s not exciting anybody, and without an incredible roster around him, he’s not going to the Super Bowl without a ticket.

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Enter general manager Mike Mayock. Mayock understands all of the above. Las Vegas needs to upgrade at the game;s most important position if it wants to compete in the AFC West with Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. Last season, the Raiders went into Arrowhead Stadium in Week 13 with a chance to seize control of the division. Carr threw two interceptions — one on the first possession, and the other a pick-six to Juan Thornhill — in a 40-9 rout for the Chiefs.

The game is a microcosm of why the Raiders need to find a new leading man entering the next decade.

With the No. 12 and No. 19-overall picks, Mayock and Co. can do a litany of things to nab either Tua Tagovailoa, Jordan Love or Justin Herbert. They can be patient and hope the board falls right. They can pass on all these quarterbacks and ride into the future with Carr.

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They can also choose the third option. The Raiders can package the picks and get into the top-five provided someone is willing to move down. In a draft this deep, teams always want to move back and rack up more lottery tickets.

So what would a deal look like? Using the widely-accepted value chart, the Raiders could sent Nos. 12 and 19 to the New York Giants for Nos. 4 and 99 — factoring in the leverage of New York. Las Vegas could also package those picks to move to No. 3 with the Detroit Lions, although the Raiders would likely need to include No. 91 overall in the third round as well.

All told, if Mayock doesn’t believe one of the three aforementioned quarterbacks is his man, forget it. Use the picks and build around Carr. However, if he thinks one of them could be the future, move up and get the guy.