
The most wonderful time of the year began Friday when bowl season officially kicked off with Buffalo trouncing Charlotte in the Bahamas Bowl.
While the Raiders might not have had their eyes on the action on the islands, you can bet general manager Mike Mayock will be watching Saturday when Washington takes on No. 19 Boise State in the Mitsubishi Motors Las Vegas Bowl.
Mayock and Jon Gruden hit a home run with their first draft class but will have to stack classes in order to bring back the greatness of the Silver and Black.
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There are prospects who will take the field in Sin City -- the future home of the Raiders -- on Saturday that Raiders fans should definitely pay attention to.
Jacob Eason, QB, Washington
Yes, there is a good chance Derek Carr will enter 2020 as the Raiders' starting quarterback. It's likely, in fact.
That doesn't mean Gruden won't want to add a young signal-caller to his quarterback room who one day could be the face of the franchise.
NFL
Eason entered the season at a projected first-round pick. His stock took a hit with an up-and-down first season in Seattle. The fourth-year junior is big, mobile and has a rocket arm. Those tools still could entice a team to take Eason early, but he doesn't come without some red flags.
First of all, there's very limited tape on Eason. He started 13 games at Georgia before losing his job to Jake Fromm and transferring to UW. He threw for 2,922 yards, 22 touchdowns and eight interceptions this season. Eason's season was a hodgepodge of amazing throws and stunning gaffes, likely leaving evaluators befuddled. He torched BYU and looked like a top-10 pick. But there was the dud against Cal, the scoreless fourth quarter against Oregon and the ugly second half against Utah.
At his best, Eason makes jaw-dropping throws.
Then, he'll turn around and do this.
Eason is a raw prospect who should return for another season at Washington. He has work to do with his pocket presence and footwork, but the raw talent is undeniable.
If he declares and slips to Day 2, the Raiders could take a flier.
[RELATED: Four prospects Raiders could target in 2020 draft]
Curtis Weaver, EDGE, Boise State
The Raiders need all the pass-rush help they can get. Maxx Crosby was a steal in the fourth round last season. Clelin Ferrell, the No. 4 overall pick, had a ho-hum rookie season. He showed promise, but he didn't flash the way you'd want a top-five pick to. The Silver and Black signed Dion Jordan and should bring him back after the Oregon product showed he still had the talent of a top-three pick.
Still, the Raiders have issues getting to the quarterback. Issues that will be addressed come draft time.
While you're watching Eason on Saturday, keep an eye on one of the guys trying to plant him into the turf.
Boise State junior edge rusher Curtis Weaver had a monster season for the Broncos, tallying 13.5 sacks and 50 tackles for the Mountain West champions. He has elite handwork, impressive burst off the line and bend that is reminiscent of Nick Bosa. Weaver likely will shoot up draft boards during the pre-draft process.
You'll likely see Weaver in the backfield a lot Saturday in Sin City. And if he has a big game, the desert just might become his home with Gruden and the Raiders.