Report: Raiders may move on from Lynch if no deal reached by draft

It's been widely assumed that the Oakland Raiders and Marshawn Lynch agreeing to a deal is an inevitability, but time may be running out for them to work something out.

The two sides are reportedly believed to be close to an agreement, but Ian Rapoport said Tuesday on NFL Network that the 2017 draft - which will be held from April 27-29 - could end Oakland's interest in Lynch, if the team opts to choose a running back.

"Right now, there's no agreement between Marshawn Lynch and the Oakland Raiders, and the real deadline here - they hoped to have it done by yesterday when offseason conditioning started, didn't happen - the real deadline here is the draft," Rapoport said, according to Kevin Patra of NFL.com. "Because it is possible that the Raiders get on the clock Thursday night or Friday, and say 'Alright, we're going to take this running back. He has a value here for us. We're just going to take the leap.' And once they take a running back, it probably will close the door on Marshawn Lynch."

The running back class this year is intriguing, but with the Raiders sitting at 24th overall, it's unlikely any of the top prospects who could have a similar impact to Lynch will be available.

Oakland could take a back later in the draft, but it would be surprising if that ends its interest in Lynch following an offseason dominated by the team's desire to add the veteran back.

If Lynch and the Raiders do agree to terms soon, Oakland still has to work out a trade package for him with the Seattle Seahawks, who still own his rights.