The Raiders have a starting quarterback in Derek Carr who they feel moderately comfortable with, and one of the most expensive backups -- who they just signed in free agency -- in the NFL in Marcus Mariota. They also have seven picks in the upcoming 2020 NFL Draft, including five in the first three rounds and two selections in the first. So, it would seem extremely unlikely that they would add another veteran QB in free agency.
But, if they did, there's one available free-agent quarterback who, according to an assistant coach in the Raiders' own conference, would lead them to the postseason in 2020.
That player is ex-Carolina Panthers QB and former NFL MVP Cam Newton.
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Bleacher Report's Mike Freeman recently asked an AFC assistant coach to pick the best landing spots for Newton, and Las Vegas was included on the list, along with the Miami Dolphins, Chicago Bears, Los Angeles Rams, New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts.
"They'd make the playoffs with him at quarterback," the coach responded about Newton's potential fit with the Raiders.
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Newton certainly has the talent and track record to command a large salary on the open market, but there simply aren't many teams that have both an opening and the available cap space to afford him. The Raiders definitely can't pay him his market value, as they currently have just under $9 million in available cap space, according to Over the Cap. Not to mention they've got a pretty full quarterback room as it is.
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The Patriots have yet to replace Tom Brady, who departed for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in free agency, but New England has even less available cap space than the Raiders, and the Rams are in the worst cap situation of any team in the league. The Colts are spending a higher percentage of the cap on the QB position than any other NFL team, and the Bears just traded for Nick Foles, who is expected to take over for former No. 2 overall pick Mitch Trubisky.
Of the teams the AFC coach listed, the Dolphins would appear to make the most sense, as they have ample cap space and Ryan Fitzpatrick currently slated to start. However, Miami holds the No. 5 overall pick in the 2020 draft, and it wouldn't be shocking at all to see that selection used on one of the top QB prospects.
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One way or another, though, Newton is going to end up on a team, and chances are, he's going to take over the starting job. It's highly unlikely to be with the Raiders, but if Jon Gruden happens to be of the same opinion as that assistant coach, they can try to figure out a way to make it work.