Oakland Raiders: Grading Reggie McKenzie’s Offseason Moves To This Point

EJ Manuel (QB)

As we saw last  season, when he was pressed into action, backup quarterback Connor Cook has a long way to go in his development as an NFL quarterback. He has shown little flashes of talent here and there, but he wasn’t able to put it all together and pick this team up when it needed him the most.

Not his fault. The guy was a rookie, after all. A rookie starting a playoff game at that.

But having some serious competition to help usher along his progress and development is never a bad thing.

After four seasons in Buffalo, the former first round pick – sixteenth overall – never developed the way the team hoped and, given the presence of Tyrod Taylor – and the team’s commitment to him – Manuel was allowed to walk. He landed in Oakland, where the fact that Todd Downing is the team’s new OC sealed the deal.

Manuel signed a one-year deal on the cheap and more importantly, with no guaranteed money. He’s betting on himself. He hasn’t lived up to his first-round billing, but to be fair, he was also saddled with some terrible Bills teams. He may never be a starter in Oakland, but he could be a decent insurance policy.

At best, Manuel could give the Raiders a competent backup in the event Carr goes down with an injury. At worst, it shows that Cook doesn’t have the upside they believed he did and can move on from him. Or – it could give the Raiders a competent backup while also allowing Cook the time to develop as a quarterback.

Grade: B+