Oakland Raiders: Final predictions for most surprising 2018 roster cuts

QBs Connor Cook and E.J. Manuel

I’ve been saying it for years — Connor Cook is not an NFL-caliber quarterback. The Raiders have held fast in their hope that he’d emerge as a capable backup, but what we’ve seen during the preseason largely seems to support my stance.

On top of that, E.J. Manuel hasn’t looked any better. The former first-round pick continues to prove why he was labeled a bust so many years ago. His time in Oakland has only given us more reason to consider him a substandard NFL gunslinger.

Do the Raiders really want to head into Week 1 with one of those two behind Derek Carr? It would be far from ideal. So instead of settling for Cook or Manuel, Oakland decides to cut them both loose and play the open market. They scoop up a veteran after final cuts are made, giving them a far superior No. 2 than they ever would have had with Cook or Manuel.

Keep in mind, though, that this won’t happen right away. Chances are the Raiders let one go at final cuts, then wait for someone else to become available. After axes drop around the league, they’ll sign a replacement before showing the other one the door.

Honestly, anything would be better than handing the reins to Cook or Manuel if Carr goes down.