To get a better look at the Raiders’ roster and their NFL Draft needs, we’re taking a daily look at position groups. Today’s offering: Quarterbacks

WHO’S HERE

Derek Carr, Marcus Mariota, Nathan Peterman

2020 OUTLOOK

Carr is more entrenched as the starter than at any time during coach Jon Gruden’s three years as head coach.

There’s an ongoing debate among the fan base. On one extreme, Carr is primarily responsible for the Raiders’ losing ways and will never amount to much over the .500 quarterback he was in 2020.

On the other, Carr has been a patsy, a productive passer and leader whose 47-63 record as a starter is mostly due to a defense that has been poor since the day he arrived and was even worse than that a year ago.

The truth is somewhere in between. It’s true the Raiders could have made the playoffs had not given up an astounding 473 points last season. It’s also true if Carr had delivered more touchdowns in the red zone and the Raiders hadn’t had to settle for so many field goals, they would have made the playoffs even with that poor defense.

The yearly angst among fans regarding Carr and the offseason receded this year as it was clear he wasn’t going anywhere. But with Carr’s five-year contract winding down, we may finally be at that tipping point where he needs double digit wins to continue on a path to finishing his career as a Raider.

Marcus Mariota returns as Carr’s backup and the intrigue isn’t if he’ll challenge to be the starter. Instead, it’s if Gruden will find ways to use Mariota creatively. He gives the Raiders head coach a chance to temporarily shed his conservatism and operate all those new-fangled run-pass options that are all the rage.

Peterman remains as the No. 3 quarterback, a player who will be forever judged by a few horrific games in Buffalo until he gets a chance to show he can be an efficient backup.

DRAFT EXPECTATIONS

For a guy who spent seven years doing “Gruden’s QB Camp” on ESPN to highlight NFL-bound college quarterbacks, Gruden has been keen on drafting them.

There have been none taken in the Raiders’ first three drafts with Gruden having the final say over general managers Reggie McKenzie and Mike Mayock. In seven years in Tampa Bay, there were three — Chris Simms (3/97) in 2003, Bruce Gradkowski (6/194) in 2006 and Josh Johnson (5/160).

In his first go-round with the Raiders, Gruden sold Al Davis on the idea of Marques Tuiasosopo in the second round, No. 59 overall, seeing him as a potentially supercharged Rich Gannon.

And that’s it. Four quarterbacks in 11 seasons. None in the first round.

If it happens this year, it would be a surprise on Day 1 or Day 2 and likely wouldn’t come until the fifth round or later.

QUOTE TO NOTE

“He’s all business. He’s on a mission right now to prove that he can be one of the top, if not the best, in football. That’s what he’s after. I think he’s on a mission to deliver his leadership, his play-making and his day-to-day consistency to this team. If you could see him here every day in these circumstances, you’d all be impressed with what he represents. I couldn’t be happier having him as my quarterback.” — Jon Gruden through nine games last season on quarterback Derek Carr.

LOCAL OPTION

Davis Mills (Stanford)

PRIORITY SCALE (1 to 10)

8 (third least)