The Las Vegas Raiders were able to improve in a big way in free agency, adding some top-tier talent as well as depth at a number of positions with their $57 million in cap space.
One position that they added to was quarterback as while they did not replace Derek Carr as their starter with Tom Brady or one of the other options available, they did bring in an experienced backup in Marcus Mariota.
While the Raiders seem set at the quarterback position in 2020 with Carr and Mariota, it appears they are still doing their due diligence on the draft prospects considering they have two first-round picks at their disposal.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, they have a FaceTime meeting set up with Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert on Monday:
With no pre-draft visits due to Coronavirus, teams have turned to FaceTime meetings with prospects instead. For instance, #Oregon QB Justin Herbert has a video call with the #Raiders today, and he’s spoken with the #Chargers, too. Everyone is adjusting to new realities.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 30, 2020
Teams do not have the ability to meet with players in person due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, so these FaceTime meetings will be popular leading up to next month’s draft.
The Raiders hold the Nos. 12 and 19 overall picks in the first round. That means they may have to trade up in they want Herbert as he is a projected top 10 pick. The Los Angeles Chargers are one of the other teams meeting with him and they have the No. 6 overall pick and a clear need at quarterback after Phillip Rivers’ departure this offseason.
Because of that, it seems unlikely that Herbert will wind up in Las Vegas. The Raiders were also linked to a couple of other quarterback prospects in Jordan Love and Jalen Hurts. Reports indicate that Raiders general manager Mike Mayock is not in love with Love though, and also that they would only take Hurts if he slips to the third round, which is not likely.
