Oakland Raiders: 3 Players with something to prove vs. Seahawks

Backup quarterbacks

The first player that needs to step up Connor Cook. There is more pressure on Cook to succeed because he is the incumbent quarterback. He has been with the Raiders since being picked in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft.

At no point during his tenure with the Raiders has his play been good. He lacks the accuracy necessary to start at the NFL level. He continues to play as if the game were still too fast for him. In fact, it was the state of his play that led the Raiders to sign the next player who needs to prove something in week four.

E.J. Manuel needs to prove he belongs with the silver and black. Manuel was brought in to compete with Cook for the backup quarterback position. The fact that the Manuel has not already beaten out Cook is a bad sign.

Manuel was drafted in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Like Cook, his career has been marred by bad decision making. But also like Cook, he has a very strong arm. If that strong arm can be tamed, he could be an asset.

Gruden’s offenses from ages past have relied on short accurate passes. While Derek Carr fits that bill, neither Cook nor Manuel come even close. Cook and Manuel are cut from the mold of the strong-armed quarterback who can excel in the vertical passing game. Except the have yet to excel.

Cook and Manuel need to prove they can perform if they want to be an Raider this fall.