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2012 Oakland Raiders Free Agency: Quarterback Position Requires More Depth

With the news that Jason Campbell is now a Chicago Bear, the Raiders QB depth chart consists of Carson Palmer and Terrelle Pryor. Pryor has only had half a season to acclimate to the pro game and will have to learn a new system over the offseason. He probably isn't ready to be counted on as Palmer's full time backup. Therefore, the Raiders may have to look to free agency or the draft to find a capable backup for this season.

When one scours the list of free agent quarterbacks this season, they all seem to fall into one of three categories: 1) really expensive, 2) washed up or 3) terrible. Donovan McNabb and Rex Grossman are some of the luminaries available currently. The Raiders may be best served looking at someone who wasn't ever given a fair shake, like Brady Quinn or Dennis Dixon. They will come cheaply but have had enough starting experience that they wouldn't have the deer-in-the-headlights type of failure that we saw with Kyle Boller.

Conversely, the Raiders may decide that the draft is the way to go. There are a number of notable quarterbacks who performed admirably in college but saw their stock drop after their season was over. Nick Foles, Case Keenum and Kellen Moore fall under this category. Quarterback really shouldn't be a priority for the Raiders in this particular draft but if they fail to land a capable backup QB in free agency then they may have no other choice.

Carson Palmer is clearly the best starting quarterback the Raiders have enjoyed since Rich Gannon, but with his injury history and somewhat advanced age acquiring a backup in whatever way possible must be a priority for them.