Podcast: Draft Strategy, Jack Jones, and the Raiders' Future

LAS VEGAS -- The Las Vegas Raiders parted ways with cornerback Jack Jones, opening up new possibilities for the upcoming NFL Draft. Their strategy will be very telling as to what the long-term focus will be for the John Spytek, Pete Carroll, and Tom Brady trifecta.

In this episode of the Las Vegas Raiders Insider podcast, our Hondo Carpenter dives into draft strategy, Jones, and the silver and black's bright future.

You can watch that entire podcast below:

Pete Carroll from Monday's introductory press conference for quarterback Geno Smith.

Q: We haven't talked since you guys acquired Geno Smith. How'd that all kind of come about? And what do you feel like he gives the Raiders? Coach Carroll: "Yeah, getting Geno [Smith] was a really important part of this puzzle, putting it together. We have really a rich background, and it was really important to me, because I know what we can count on. We have a guy that is such a great worker. He's grown so much through his career, been through so much and overcome so much. I love the way he approaches the game. He's serious, he's competitive, works his tail off, and he's a great leader in that regard, leads the guys by the way he takes to the game. And man, he's talented, really talented.

And so I think the Geno story, it's worth mentioning, the guy sat for almost six years. And in that time, one he didn't get the wear and the tear, so that's why he moves so well and he runs really well still, but he took to the game in a manner that was really very impressive. He was able to, one day after another, take it like the very next play I'm playing. And I watched him for the four straight years when he wasn't playing, just never missed that opportunity to be focused in that manner. I mean it was just ridiculously impressive. So anyway, when he finally played, look what he's done. He's had three winning seasons, and he's a tremendous completion guy. He's durable, he's tough. So we're really, really fortunate to have him coming."

Q: You saw him as a backup for like you said, a few years. Did you ever feel like he was content just being that? Coach Carroll: "No. That's what I'm telling you, no, it came through from early on that he was going to approach it with the thought that he is going to play the next play. He's playing behind Russ [Russell Wilson, and Russ was in the middle of his career and doing great, and he realized what the situation was, but he never bought into it, never gave into it. That's what's so impressive about him."

Be sure you follow us on X (formerly Twitter) @HondoCarpenter and IG @HondoSr and never miss another breaking news story again.

Please let us know your thoughts when you like our Facebook page WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE.