If you're a fan of one of the many cellar dweller NFL teams, than it is never too early to start looking at the draft. In most instances of prolonged football futility, that is the only thing fans have to look forward to (I would know, I'm a Washington Redskins fan).
Here are five major questions about the top of the NFL draft:
1. Would the Oakland Raiders take a QB if they receive the No. 1 overall pick?
The Oakland Raiders selected quarterback Derek Carr in the second of last year's draft and while they've been pleased with the promise he's shown, the team is still 0-9. Oakland will have to decide if Carr's potential exceeds the top QB prospects in this year's draft and which areas of the team they want to upgrade.
"Despite the presence of 2014 second-rounder Derek Carr on the roster, I definitely don't think you can rule out the Raiders selecting [Marcus] Mariota - or possibly even Florida State QB Jameis Winston - with the top overall pick," ESPN's Todd McShay wrote.
"I can certainly understand the argument for why Oakland should use that pick to either get an elite player at another position or deal it for multiple picks, in order to give Carr a chance to prove himself as the franchise QB with a better supporting cast around him. He has had very little help this season, and almost any rookie quarterback would struggle in that situation.
"But I also think the scouting report is out on him, and that he's having problems with the same areas I saw of him on tape when evaluating him for the draft: If you can get pressure in his face and lay some hits on him, he has a hard time handling it, and even though he has a strong arm, his deep accuracy isn't consistent enough. His performance has been getting worse as the season has gone on, not better."
Mariota has led the Oregon Ducks to a 9-1 record and a No. 2 position on the most recent College Football Playoff ranking.
2. Will Jameis Winston be drafted in the top 10?
Winston has been surrounded by a flurry of controversy and poor off-field decision making since becoming the Seminoles' start last season. The most recent in a continuous stream of negative events is the NCAA's investigation into a potential point shaving scheme. Despite the considerable character concerns, there is no denying that Winston is one of the most talented players in all of college football.
"He's not a lock, but I would suspect he would land there," Mel Kiper wrote. " Look, I think Winston is a brilliant talent with a vast skill set and preternatural instinct for the quarterback position. Beyond that, there's something many don't realize, which is that he has a really special ability to learn information, retain it and apply it quickly. And regardless of how you think Florida State has looked this year, I don't think there's any question the guy has a special ability to rise to the occasion -- a 'winning' QB can be overstated, but you could apply that label to Winston and not get any weird looks.
But there are questions:
1. Obviously, maturity is a question mark, and if the draft were tomorrow, that would be the No. 1 debate going on with teams. Can we trust this guy at a position we prioritize above all others, in a league where off-field behavior is under the microscope to a greater degree than ever?
2. It's absurd to say Winston's play has fallen off this year. What has happened is he's struggled more as his protection has struggled. He's already thrown more INTs than last year, his QBR is down eight points, and he's had a couple of really bad stretches in games. While he's still been very good, what will happen is you'll have some fair analysis on whether he's a great player who is going to get a lot better, or whether he's a great player who's closer to his ceiling than most players his age."
3. Will Todd Gurley be drafted in the first round?
Gurley was a strong contender for the Heisman Trophy before a four-game suspension for accepting money in exchange for autographs sidelined his campaign. Still, Gurley is obviously the best running back in the nation, racking up 773 yards and eight touchdowns in only five games this season.
"Yes, I think he would be," McShay wrote. "I would have a hard time justifying using a first-round pick on a running back, given the current value at that position and how successful teams have been at finding productive options in later rounds, and to do so I think the back needs to be a complete player who can be a true difference-maker. Gurley fits the bill."
4. Which teams will consider drafting a quarterback early?
By my count, there are seven or so NFL teams still looking for their quarterback of the future. Unfortunately, early projections only have two QBs worth a top first-round pick.
"In Tampa Bay I certainly think a QB could be in play," Kiper wrote. "Josh McCown is a career backup, and Mike Glennon is the draft pick of previous decision-makers. The Jets obviously would have to consider a QB in Round 1. The luster has come off Geno Smith even though that pick was a calculated and inexpensive risk. The Titans might have something in Zach Mettenberger, but if the stretch run is messy you certainly can't say they wouldn't look. Mettenberger is a negligible cap hit for another three years, so he's already priced liked a backup if that's what they feel he is. And we can't rule out the Rams. That's the definition of a team being held back by the QB position -- with talent elsewhere but total uncertainty at that spot."
