3 Reasons the Raiders Should Be Sellers at the 2022 NFL Trade Deadline

The Las Vegas Raiders plunged deeper into the bottom of the AFC West standings with a brutal loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football.

Now they face a crossroads as the league calendar draws closer to the November 1 trade deadline.

On one hand, the Raiders haven't been blown out in their losses. Their four losses have come by a total of 14 points or 3.5 points per game. They have yet to lose a game by two scores. On the other, they already find themselves three games behind the seventh-seeded Miami Dolphins.

So, the choice comes down to becoming buyers in the midseason trade market to salvage a terrible start or sell off some pieces in the name of prepping for the future. Here's why the smart choice would be the latter.

It's Only Year 1 of McDaniels-Ziegler

Jeff Bottari/Getty Images

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 02: Head coach Josh McDaniels of the Las Vegas Raiders looks on before the game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium on October 02, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Getty Images)

Josh McDaniels and Dave Ziegler were supposed to bring immediate credibility to the Raiders franchise.

McDaniels has been a hot coaching candidate over the last few seasons, so it was a big deal when he decided to come to the Silver and Black.

General manager Ziegler has years of experience helping construct successful rosters in New England.

Throw in win-now moves for Davante Adams and Chandler Jones, and there's a chance the hype was a bit overblown. They were both flashy additions to the roster, but they didn't really address the biggest issue with this team: the offensive line.

It was unable to protect Derek Carr or open up running lanes last season, and Las Vegas tried to close the wound by buying a fancy shirt.

It took a shot at becoming instant competitors in 2022, but it hasn't worked out that way. The tandem of McDaniels and Ziegler now has a chance to step back and prepare for the future.

If the pair can flip a player on the roster for a draft pick to continue to build the roster they want, it's the best path forward.

They Have Good Trade Candidates

Clelin Ferrell has been in need of a fresh start for a while. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 25: Clelin Ferrell #99 of the Las Vegas Raiders defends against the Dallas Cowboys during an NFL game at AT&T Stadium on November 25, 2021 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

Typically, the best trade chips are the ones that could help fill a need for a team without costing their original team too much. If it brings back draft compensation a year earlier than the compensatory formula would, then that's nice, too.

The Raiders have multiple players who fit that profile.

Clelin Ferrell has made sense as a trade chip for a long time. The 2019 fourth-overall pick has never produced as a pass-rusher for the team although he's had his moments as a run defender.

Plenty of teams are in need of rotational pass-rushers, and Ferrell is in the final year of his rookie contract.

Darren Waller got his contract extension so he isn't going anywhere, which means Foster Moreau could be another trade chip.

The 25-year-old has proved to be a reliable weapon in the passing game when given opportunities but would be more valuable to a team that doesn't have a Waller-like tight end.

Johnathan Abram has been a liability in the passing game but is a good box safety who can be a positive in the run game. Raiders fans wouldn't be sad to see him go, but he might be valuable to another team.

Trading away any of those three players isn't a complete tank job, but it only takes away from the Raiders' depth while giving them an asset in return.

Not Contenders Yet

The Raiders roster doesn't compare to the best teams in the AFC yet. (David Eulitt/Getty Images)

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - OCTOBER 10: Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders scrambles as Chris Jones #95 of the Kansas City Chiefs chases during the 2nd quarter of the game at Arrowhead Stadium on October 10, 2022 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)

You can make the argument the Raiders aren't as bad as their 1-4 record would suggest, but you can't make the case they are a threat to the best teams in the AFC. There isn't a trade out there that is going to change that.

The Raiders' problems go much deeper than a single trade can solve. The right guard and right tackle spots remain an issue. Alex Bars is ranked 68th of 74 guards by PFF while Jermaine Eluemunor is 64th out of 72 tackles.

The secondary has struggled as well. Las Vegas is 25th in yards allowed per pass and is allowing opposing quarterbacks to complete 68.5 percent of their passes. That ranks 27th in the league.

Those issues are going to take time to fix. With Patrick Graham taking over the defense this season, some growing pains on the back end were expected.

The offensive line is going to need to continue to be infused with young talent through the draft and carefully chosen free agents over the next offseason. The secondary needs time to develop and jell in a new system.

Reaching for trade for solutions is not the best move for the team in the long term.