Oakland Raiders: Predicting The Team’s Final 53-Man Roster
By Kevin Saito
Quarterbacks (3)
Starter: Derek Carr
Reserves: E.J. Manuel, Connor Cook
The only real drama with the quarterbacking situation is, who wins the number two job. Neither Manuel nor Cook have distinguished themselves as Carr’s clear cut understudy. They’ve both had up and down moments this summer.
For a while, it appeared that Manuel had the upper hand and was opening a gap between he and Cook. But then he went out and had a three-for-nine, 16 yard performance against the Rams, and Cook – for a change – looked relatively solid in relief.
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But make no mistake, neither of Carr’s understudies have proven to be the solution in a worst case scenario. And nobody inside the organization, or outside of it, should be feeling all too comfortable with the backups if something should happen to Carr – knock on wood.
If last season taught us anything, it’s that the Raiders need a capable understudy for Carr. Between Cook and now-Philadelphia reserve, Matt McGloin, we saw firsthand, just how quickly a season can unravel without a competent backup quarterback.
With Carr likely riding the pine against Seattle, the fourth and final game of the exhibition season, Cook and Manuel are going to have a little bit of time to make their case for number two on the depth chart.
If one were to make a projection though – and isn’t that what we’re doing here – the smart money would seem to be on Manuel starting the season as the number two. He’s got starting experience and through the summer – the Rams game aside – has looked to be the more polished and locked in of the two backups.
But the Raiders will likely carry three quarterbacks, so Cook – third on the depth chart – will have more time to continue to develop.