2020 NFL Draft: Raiders surely would have to trade up to pick Justin Herbert

Why don't Las Vegas Raiders coach Jon Gruden and general manger Mike Mayock like incumbent starting quarterback Derek Carr that much? Carr is just 29, has a very reasonable contract and comes off his best season, completing 70.4 percent of his passes (second in the NFL) for 4,054 yards, 21 touchdowns and eight picks. His rating of 100.8 was eighth in the league.

Sure, Gruden and Mayock say all positive things publicly about Carr, but the Raiders were poking around Tom Brady and are paying free-agent addition Marcus Mariota almost starter's money the next two seasons and will give him every chance to beat Carr out.

In addition, the Raiders have been linked to Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert in next month's draft. On Tuesday, Herbert was set for a video call with the Raiders – this is the type of thing NFL officials have to resort to because all team facilities are shut down due to the coronavirus. Each call between clubs and prospects can last no more than an hour.

William Hill sportsbook has an NFL Draft prop asking which team drafts Herbert. The Los Angeles Chargers are the +150 favorites with the Raiders at +1400. Las Vegas holds two picks in the first round, Nos. 12 and 19 (the latter from the 2018 trade of Khalil Mack to Chicago).

Nearly every mock draft on the planet has Herbert going way before No. 12, so the Raiders likely would have to package both those picks and perhaps more to move up and get him. Just for a point of comparison, the Pittsburgh Steelers traded up from No. 20 to No. 10 last year with the Denver Broncos to take Michigan linebacker Devin Bush.

Pittsburgh gave up that 20th pick, a second-round pick (No. 52) and a 2020 third-round pick. Denver used the 20th selection to grab Iowa tight end Noah Fant. The Detroit Lions at No. 3 and New York Giants at No. 4 both could be potential trade partners for the Raiders this year to get ahead of the Dolphins (No. 5) and Chargers (No. 6).

Herbert is given an Over-Under draft position of six, with both options at -110.