Report: Oakland Raiders Interested in Geno Smith with No. 3 Overall Pick

The Oakland Raiders hold the No. 3 overall pick in the 2013 NFL draft and are considering using it to select former West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith. 

According to ESPN's Chris Mortensen on NFL 32, Oakland is considering making Smith the No. 3 overall pick in the draft (h/t Rotoworld):

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"Word around the NFL is the Raiders have interest in Geno Smith with that third overall pick in the draft," said Mort. "Now I can't get this confirmed by the team, but Geno Smith is a guy that everybody sees as a top-10 pick right now -- not everybody -- but he's got a chance to go in the top ten. And if the Raiders do like him, you better take him at No. 3." 

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It is no secret in NFL circles that the Raiders have an issue to address at the quarterback position. Mortensen went on to indicate that Oakland would likely show veteran quarterback Carson Palmer the door if Smith is the pick in the first round. 

Palmer is owed $28 million over the next two years (CBS) and has went 8-16 as the starting quarterback of the Raiders. Now 33 years old, Oakland is likely considering moving on from the veteran quarterback brought in from a past regime. 

According to Contra Costa Times, the Raiders, under head coach Dennis Allen, were going to hold a quarterback competition in 2013 between Palmer and the unknown in Terrelle Pryor. 

A wrench was apparently thrown in those plans as the Kansas City Chiefs, a team that many thought would take Smith No. 1 overall, completed a trade for backup quarterback Alex Smith, presumably to be the starter under new head coach Andy Reid (Jay Glazer). 

The trade opens a window for Smith to fall to Oakland at third overall and give Allen and Co. a fresh start and a potential franchise quarterback. 

Smith is the consensus No. 1 quarterback in what is considered to be a rather weak class. He threw for 4,205 yards and 42 touchdowns a year ago before declaring for the draft. Smith is a pocket passer by nature but is athletic enough to escape pressure. 

Smith potentially falling is a gift from a divisional rival that the Raiders sound very intrigued by at the moment, as it could change the course of the franchise in a drastic manner. 

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