E.J.

Manuel

After both Manuel and Connor Cook bombed as Derek Carr’s backup over the past two seasons, the Raiders have moved on to future failed backup AJ McCarron. New coach Jon Gruden is throwing darts, and doing so with alarmingly poor accuracy.

Buffalo’s No. 16 overall pick in the 2013 draft, Manuel patched together a 6-12 record over 18 starts in his five years between the Bills and Raiders. He signed on with the Chiefs this offseason, but ultimately called it quits after spending all of 2018 out of the league. He finishes with a total 3,767 passing yards and career 58.1 percent completion rate.

A colossal reach by the Bills at No. 16 in the 2013 draft, Manuel busted in kind. The owner of a career 58.3 completion percentage, 6.40 YPA and 19:15 TD:INT ratio, Manuel has attempted just 110 passes since the end of the 2014 season. He’ll try to earn Oakland’s No. 3 job behind Derek Carr and Connor Cook.

He’s ahead of Connor Cook. Manuel looks to have the early edge as Derek Carr’s backup. The Raiders will likely carry three quarterbacks.

Manuel had a decent summer while Cook was disastrous. Neither player is a viable option behind Derek Carr. The Raiders would be finished were injury to befall Carr for the second straight year.

Coach Jack Del Rio points to Manuel “doing a little more” to deserve the backup role, but he went on to say the “race remains open though.” Winning the backup job would be a step in the right direction for the former first-round pick.

Manuel, 28, beat out Connor Cook for the Raiders’ backup quarterback job last season and made an October spot start against the Ravens, predictably struggling mightily in a 30-17 defeat. Manuel will again compete with Cook and journeyman Josh Johnson for the primary backup job behind Derek Carr.

He was sacked once for a loss of seven yards. Manuel stepped in for starter Derek Carr, who exited with a back injury late in the third quarter. He was somewhat effective, leading Oakland on a nine-play, 73-yard scoring drive midway through the fourth quarter. Manuel threw a catchable ball to Jared Cook in the end zone, but Cook couldn’t haul it in. Oakland’s comeback bid ended when Justin Simmons stepped in front of a pass intended for Amari Cooper with 1:45 remaining. With Carr heading for an MRI, Manuel could be asked to start next week against the Ravens.

Derek Carr (back) is pushing to play after putting in two limited practices but it sounds like the Raiders will play it safe by giving the ball to Manuel in Week 5. Manuel actually held his own coming on in relief of Carr last week (11-of-17 passing for 106 yards with one interception in a loss to Denver), but obviously he doesn’t have a strong track record having not won a start since 2014. His presence is a downgrade to Oakland’s entire offense, though fortunately it looks like Carr will be back for Week 6.

He was somewhat effective in the first half, completing 7-of-10 passes for 96 yards before the break. Manuel threaded the needle to Michael Crabtree for a 41-yard touchdown in the second quarter while trimming Baltimore’s lead to 11. His success waned as the game went on, though Manuel seemed to be at his best when he was making plays outside the pocket. Manuel showed zero chemistry with lead receiver Amari Cooper, instead peppering Crabtree and Jared Cook with targets. This will probably be the last we see of Manuel for a while with Derek Carr (back) expected to return next week against the Chargers.