Yardbarker
Yardbarker
x
Charles Woodson Says Life Would Be ‘Perfect’ If Raiders Drafted Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy
December 31, 2022; Glendale, Ariz; USA; Michigan quarterback JJ McCarthy (9) throws a pass during the pregame before the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Ncaa Fiesta Bowl Game December 31, 2022; Glendale, Ariz; USA; Michigan quarterback JJ McCarthy (9) throws a pass during the pregame before the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Ncaa Fiesta Bowl Game

Even though the Las Vegas Raiders added veteran Gardner Minshew II to go along with promising second-year quarterback Aidan O’Connell, the team could still choose to add another player at the position through the draft. And Raiders legend Charles Woodson has an idea of who the ideal prospect should be.

Woodson, of course, is a proud alum of the University of Michigan who finally got over the hump and won the College Football National Championship this season. And the man who led them there, quarterback J.J. McCarthy, could be someone the Raiders have their eye on with their first-round pick.

That would make Woodson very happy as the Raiders legend feels that life would be perfect if Las Vegas were to take McCarthy in the upcoming NFL Draft, via Aidan Champion of Sports Illustrated:

“I mean, life couldn’t get more perfect, could it?” Woodson said of the possibility of Las Vegas drafting McCarthy when he joined “Mad Dog Sports Radio” last Wednesday.

“I have a ton of respect for J.J. McCarthy and the way he led that Michigan Wolverines team last year,” Woodson said. ” … It would take him a little time to acclimate. I think he needs a little more time to develop, but if they [the Raiders] were to land that young man, I think his ceiling is very high, and that would be awesome if he was to don the silver and black.”

McCarthy is viewed in that second-tier of quarterbacks after the presumed top-3 of Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye. McCarthy, along with Oregon’s Bo Nix and Washington’s Michael Penix are all extremely talented as well and, if the Raiders don’t move up in the draft, could be targets if the team is locked in on taking a quarterback in the first round.

McCarthy was excellent in leading Michigan to an undefeated season and National Championship, completing 72.3% of his passes for 2,991 yards and 22 touchdowns with just four interceptions. His numbers may not look as impressive as others, but that is also due in large part to the Wolverines having a dominant defense and outstanding run game.

Regardless, Woodson is right in that McCarthy’s ceiling is very high and the Raiders must do their due diligence to see if he is the right player who could be this team’s franchise quarterback of the future.

Raiders add former Vikings running back Alexander Mattison

In the meantime, the Raiders continue to make meaningful additions in free agency with their most recent having a big impact on whoever is under center for the team.

The Raiders announced they have agreed to a deal with former Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison, giving them some extra depth at the position. Mattison spent the first five years of his career with the Vikings, primarily as a backup, who had some big games in spot starts.

Zamir White shined in the last four games of the season for the Raiders and could still be in line as the team’s starter, but he and Mattison make a more than formidable duo.

This article first appeared on Raiders Newswire and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!

TODAY'S BEST

Cubs catcher lost to horrific-looking injury on same day he returns from IL
MLB

Cubs catcher lost to horrific-looking injury on same day he returns from IL

After working to return to the Chicago Cubs' lineup following an oblique injury, Miguel Amaya suffered a gruesome-looking injury in his first game back with the Cubs on Wednesday night. Running to first base, Amaya just beat out an infield single on a slow dribbler to shortstop when his left foot landed forcefully on the base, causing his leg to buckle and sending Amaya flying down the first base line. Following the injury, Amaya was carted off the field in Toronto with a towel over his face. The emotions shown by Amaya as he was carted off indicated he knew already he would miss more time in a season that has been marred by injuries. After the game, Cubs manager Craig Counsell confirmed Amaya would be going back on the injured list with what was diagnosed as a left ankle sprain. X-rays, however, were negative. The 26-year-old Amaya had just told reporters after being activated from the 60-day injured list that he was thankful he was healthy. Just three at-bats later, Amaya was once again injured. Amaya's three at-bats against the Blue Jays on Wednesday represented his first game action since May 24, when he recorded just two at-bats against the Cincinnati Reds before leaving the game with an oblique injury. In just 96 at-bats this season, Amaya is slashing .281/.314/.500 with four home runs and 25 RBI. Amaya's injury is another blow for the Cubs, who have seen their lead in the National League Central evaporate as the Milwaukee Brewers have now won 12 consecutive games and are 20-4 since the All-Star break. As has been the case in Amaya's absence, Carson Kelly and Reese McGuire will continue to be the dominant presences behind the plate for the Cubs. Joining with Amaya, the duo has helped the Cubs record a 2.8 Wins Above Average (WAA) at catcher, the highest mark of any MLB team. After Amaya's injury, the Cubs would go on to post a 4-1 win over the Blue Jays.

Green Bay Packers Add 16-TD Playmaker Amid Preparation For Colts Preseason Game
NFL

Green Bay Packers Add 16-TD Playmaker Amid Preparation For Colts Preseason Game

The Green Bay Packers made an under-the-radar move on Wednesday on offense, as the team announced that it claimed wide receiver Kawaan Baker off waivers from the Las Vegas Raiders. From the Packers’ official website: The Green Bay Packers claimed WR Kawaan Baker off waivers from the Las Vegas Raiders. The transaction was announced Wednesday by General Manager Brian Gutekunst. Baker turned pro in 2021, when he was taken off the board in the seventh round of that year’s NFL draft by the New Orleans Saints. He signed a four-year deal worth $3.56 million with the Saints, though he spent most of his rookie season on New Orleans’ practice squad. He appeared in only two games in the 2021 NFL season and never saw action in a regular-season or playoff game since. This is also not the first time that Baker got acquainted with the Packers, as Green Bay signed him to its practice squad back in 2022 before moving on to the Philadelphia Eagles and back to the Saints. In 2024, he joined the New England Patriots in the offseason and training camp but was waived before the start of the season. His most recent stop was with the Raiders, who waived him on Monday. Before he entered the NFL, Baker played four college football seasons with the South Alabama Jaguars, during which he scored 16 touchdowns on 126 receptions through 45 games. Baker could see some action this coming Saturday’s preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts. Fans react to Green Bay Packers’ move on Baker The Packers have plenty of hurt bodies on the wide receiver room, and that is not lost on Green Bay fans, who have a lot to say about the Baker signing. “Gute is always working,” said a fan on X. Another one said: “Damn, I thought for sure they were gonna pick up OBJ or Amari Cooper this time” From a commenter: “We got 30 WRs… what’s one more” “Idk but he has return experience,” a social media user posted. Via a different commenter: “Well, when there is one receiver that can catch the ball …” Said another: “Looks like a returner option. He’s been on several practice squads over the years.”

Giants force Jets' Justin Fields into familiar problem at joint practice
NFL

Giants force Jets' Justin Fields into familiar problem at joint practice

New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields was a little more accurate on Wednesday than he was in his "alarming" performance during joint practice with the New York Giants on Tuesday. Still, the fifth-year quarterback had a familiar issue pop up. Per Dan Duggan and Charlotte Carroll of The Athletic, Fields took several sacks against a Giants defense that brought the house on a shaky Jets offensive line. Via The Athletic: "On the other field, the Giants defensive front carried over its domination from Tuesday, giving Jets quarterback Justin Fields and his offensive line plenty of problems. Camp stats are subjective, especially when it comes to sacks, but the Giants appeared to get to Fields for four sacks. "Similar to Tuesday, there were moments when it was hard to tell exactly who was causing problems as the Giants sent multiple bodies in the backfield. Fields, who went 7-of-11 on the day, had a few overthrows on plays that likely were sacks." Fields did have a couple of long runs on a Giants defense that struggled against the rush in 2024. While Fields has a unique ability to add to the running game, the Jets need the 2021 first-round pick to push the ball down the field in the passing game. Fields has always had a problem with being indecisive in the pocket, leading to his taking too many sacks since entering the league. He led the league with 55 sacks in 2022 and has taken 151 in his four-year career. The Ohio State product took 16 sacks during his six starts with the Pittsburgh Steelers last season. In camp, Fields doesn't have to worry about taking body blows from sacks that lead to injuries. That will happen in the regular season if he plays how he practiced on Wednesday.