‘Is Carr gonna be the QB in Vegas?’

Your Oakland Raiders officially stand alone with the NFL’s worst record after the Giants’ loss to the 49ers Monday night. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft is in sight.

So what better time to fire up the mailbag. Let’s get right to it.

1. @BoomerMoore: So what position do they draft first?

Everyone in Raider Nation seems to love Nick Bosa, and he’s a logical option for the Raiders’ first pick, wherever that lies, given their need for a pass-rusher or two. I don’t see the Raiders going defensive tackle early in the draft given their Maurice Hurst and P.J. Hall picks last season, and with Justin Ellis set to enter the second year of a three-year deal, so my guess is Jon Gruden stays away from Houston’s Ed Oliver and Hurst’s former Michigan teammate Rashan Gary. Looking at CBS Sports’ list of top prospects, Clemson defensive end Clelin Ferrell seems a potential option, along with LSU cornerback Greedy Williams. My hunch is the Raiders go defense with their first pick this year, regardless of the exact position.

2. @jrichards1227: Your opinion is Carr gonna be the QB in Vegas?

My opinion? Yes, I think Derek Carr will be the Raiders’ quarterback when they move to Vegas for the 2020 season. My guess is teams will call with trade offers this coming offseason, but Gruden will stick with his guy for another season and into the move. Gruden has said it himself: if Carr doesn’t play up to his potential, Gruden considers that his own failure. He’s the supposed quarterback whisperer, after all. And I don’t think Gruden would want to admit his own massive failure just one or two years into the job.

3. @basedboy89: Jon Gruden said Nathan Peterman was most pro-ready quarterback in the 2017 class. Now that he’s been waved, do you think Raiders could add him to practice squad?

I don’t think the Raiders would carry a quarterback on the practice squad. Of course Peterman beat out A.J. McCarron in Buffalo, and that’s why the Bills traded McCarron to the Raiders for a fifth-round pick, but I think Gruden is fine with McCarron as Carr’s backup.

4. @Stoney251981: With all the 1 year corners we grabbed, what is the long term goal?

I’d assume Gruden wants Gareon Conley and Daryl Worley to emerge as his two starting outside corners of the future. But Conley struggles to tackle in the open field despite solid coverage skills and Worley has given up his fair share of chunk plays in the air, namely against the Seahawks in London and Chargers on Sunday. If Conley and Worley impress more often than not in the last seven games, the Raiders don’t even think about Greedy Williams with their first pick. But if both continue to be inconsistent, and Rashaan Melvin stays near or in the doghouse, maybe the Raiders dip into the first-round cornerback market again.

5. @TimMarburger62: Will the NFL step in to ensure the Raiders play In Oakland next year since the NFL squashed the idea of playing in San Diego?

I think the Raiders will play in Oakland, regardless, not in San Diego, Vegas, Berkeley, Santa Clara or Stanford. My hunch says you’ll get to enjoy your Raiders in the Coliseum for one more year after this one.

6. @Goyco_TLF: If we land the #1 pick are we More likely to trade it for more picks or take Bosa #1?

Goyco…who knows. If the Raiders get No. 1, I’d imagine they keep it. But then again, I never imagined they would trade Khalil Mack or Amari Cooper. I’d be far less surprised if the Raiders traded one of their other two first-rounders or even both for a star player, someone close to it or a cluster of picks in the second and third rounds.

7. @_Pancho__: I can’t think of a good question but keep up the good work

I’ll check back in with you next week, Pancho. You better think of a good question by then!

8. @Raiders4life77: Will Reggie get fired at the end of the year?

Here’s what I think will happen: Gruden will leave the decision up to McKenzie, offering him to keep the GM title but essentially relinquish GM duties to Gruden, as he seemingly already does, or offering him to leave and pursue a GM opportunity elsewhere if there’s an opening. So no, I don’t think he’ll be fired, but I don’t think he’ll be in Oakland, either.

9. @Roll_N_Dubs: What Diamond in the rough player do we draft instead of the sure fire Bosa ?

(Disclaimer: This is strictly a guess) The Raiders get greedy and draft Greedy with the second overall pick.

10. @OptimusPrymTyme: Realistically, how much of the 80M cap space do you think will get used next spring? Seems like Coach Gruden wants to build more through the draft but we have needs basically everywhere

Right now the Raiders have about $83.3 million in cap space for 2019, according to Over The Cap, and I think Gruden builds more through the draft than free agency. It’s no use guessing a number, but just look at how free-agent signings like Tahir Whitehead, Derrick Johnson, Rashaan Melvin, Jordy Nelson and others have performed. If Gruden really wants to build this thing from the ground up, it’ll have to beat a youth movement.

11. @lateamzfan: Will the Raiders continue to pay a $25 million quarterback while rebuilding or will they hope for better play before trading Carr?

As I said earlier, I think Carr stays the Raiders’ long-term quarterback. He’ll certainly have to improve – a better offensive line would help – to make Gruden more comfortable with the decision I’m guessing he’ll make, if he hasn’t made it already. If Carr doesn’t improve in these last seven games and, let’s say, the Jaguars come calling and offer a first- and second-round pick in 2019, maybe Gruden takes the deal. It’ll be fascinating to watch unfold regardless.

12. @jhgrace: Who will Gruden trust as GM? Any names out there?

Yeah, Gruden will trust this one guy named Jon Gruden.

13. @JarrodLumpkins1: Jordy rumors true?

Nope, not yet at least.

14. @jonathanpesso: What has to happen for the Raiders to beat Arizona?

The Raiders need to block Chandler Jones because he will wreak havoc in the Raiders’ backfield if Kolton Miller and Brandon Parker don’t step it up. That’s key No. 1 to me.

15. @IamKleanKut: Does Richard make it back next season?

I think so. He’s a serviceable receiving back that Gruden likes and provides offensive sparks that not many other Raiders do.

16. @afd937: Is Jordys contract guaranteed for next season?

According to Spotrac, Nelson’s 2019 salary isn’t fully guaranteed until March 2019.

17. @T_Ashley: What happened in Washington last year? Carr hasn’t been the same since.

Whatever it was, it had something to do with Carr standing for the anthem the week Donald Trump called out NFL players for protesting during the anthem while most of his teammates didn’t. I don’t know exactly what went down, or if you can directly tie the Raiders’ downfall to that specific pregame demonstration, but you’re totally right in saying the Raiders and Carr haven’t been the same since. He got the living daylights beaten out of him that game, and the beatings still happen today.

18. @familyoso: Why do the Raiders suck so bad? Kthx

Well, they don’t have a pass rush, offensive line, sturdy secondary, linebackers who can defend the pass and consistent special teams play. Other than that, I’m not quite sure.