Could injury to former quarterback affect Raiders’ draft

Well, this is quite the development.

And, yes, somehow Derek Carr could have an affect on the Las Vegas Raiders’ approach to the first round of the NFL draft that starts in 13 days.

In a bombshell news story that came out of nowhere Friday afternoon, NFL Media reported Carr is in danger of missing the 2025 season for the New Orleans Saints because of a shoulder injury.

Carr, of course, spent his first nine season as the starting quarterback of the Raiders. They released Carr, who turned 34 last month, in 2023 and he’s been New Orleans’ starter since.

The Saints may have been in the market for a quarterback in the first round, anyway. This news kicks that possibility into the next year.

That’s where the Carr-Raiders connection circles back.

The Raiders own the No. 6 overall pick and could be candidates to trade down. The Saints have the No. 9 overall pick. These two teams had already made sense as trade partners if there was mutual interest. The Raiders have have nine picks and many needs could likely get an extra third-round pick, or more, in a deal and a potential target like Ashton Jeanty of Boise State could still be available.