Shocking Trade Ideas Raiders Should Pursue Before 2023 Season
One of the first major moves of the Dave Ziegler era for the Las Vegas Raiders was trading for Davante Adams last offseason.
The trade, which only involved picks from the 2022 NFL draft, brought a true No. 1 receiver to Vegas. Adams responded with 100 receptions for 1,516 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Thus far, this offseason has been much more about hitting singles and filling needs than taking big swings. The Raiders signed a huge class (17, per Spotrac) of external free agents and made nine draft picks.
The most shocking move of the offseason was trading Darren Waller to the New York Giants for a third-round pick.
Jimmy Garoppolo was the most notable of the free-agent acquisitions.
However, there's still time for the Raiders to make a splashy move before the season starts. As May turns to June, we are entering the slowest time of the offseason when trades are about the biggest thing that can happen.
Here are three trade ideas that might be shocking but are worth at least exploring.
Trade Josh Jacobs
1 of 3
Josh Jacobs' future with the Raiders has been questioned since the team declined his fifth-year option.
Since then, the 25-year-old has put together a career year, showcasing his true potential as an every-down back. He put up over 2,000 total yards, averaging 5.2 yards per touch and 12 touchdowns.
It was a huge season that smashed his previous career high of 1,316 yards he set as a rookie.
Yet, it hasn't solidified his future with the team. The Raiders opted to use the franchise tag on Jacobs which sets him up with a one-year, $10.1 million contract unless the two sides can come to an agreement on an extension by July 17.
Thus far, that deal hasn't come to fruition which leaves the idea of trading the Alabama product on the table. While he is coming off an incredible season, it is often hard for running backs to return value on their second contracts, and Josh McDaniels' background with the Patriots leans toward approaching the backfield with a committee approach.
There's no denying Jacobs was a force for the Raiders offense last season, but his value may never be higher than it is right now. Ezekiel Elliott, Kareem Hunt and Leonard Fournette are all still on the free-agent market in their late 20's despite previous success.
If the Raiders can sell high on Jacobs, it's at least worth checking out.
Trade for Devin White
2 of 3
The Raiders took a lot of steps toward fixing a defense that was broken in 2022. They selected Tyree Wilson in the first round of the draft, signed a pair of potential starters at corner in Duke Shelley and David Long Jr. and a veteran safety in Marcus Epps.
The linebacking corps still stands out as an area that could use more upgrades. They signed former Steelers linebacker Robert Spillane, but he was ranked 69th out of the 81 linebackers graded by PFF last season.
He's going to be a replacement-level player who eats up snaps, but he's unlikely to be a needle-mover.
Making a move for Devin White would put a man in the middle of the defense who can be a difference-maker.
The 25-year-old is in the final year of his contract with the Bucs. He has yet to reach an agreement with Tampa Bay on a new deal and has reportedly made it known he wants to be traded.
White was a Pro Bowl selection in 2021 and a second-team All-Pro choice in 2020. Unlike a lot of off-ball linebackers, he makes plays that affect the game. In 2022, he had 5.5 sacks, five passes defended, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.
His speed and athleticism would give defensive coordinator Patrick Graham a lot more to work with at linebacker.
Perhaps, the Raiders could interest the Bucs in Josh Jacobs. They are currently set to lean heavily on Rachaad White in his second season in the backfield.
Trade Davante Adams
3 of 3
The trade for Davante Adams was the most significant move last season. Trading the star wide receiver after one season would definitely qualify as "shocking."
However, it shouldn't be rejected out of hand. Adams himself has said he doesn't necessarily agree with the vision of general manager Dave Ziegler right now.
"[The front office] think this is the best bet for us right now to put us in a position to be urgent," the 30-year-old told Mirin Fader of The Ringer. "We don't see eye-to-eye on what we think is best for us right now."
The Raiders' overhaul of the offense this season included the departure of former quarterback Derek Carr who was also college teammates with Adams. Trading away Darren Waller and drafting Michael Mayer signals a youth movement at the tight end position.
Trading Adams right now would be financially prohibitive. The Raiders would incur a $31.4 million dead cap charge, and it would ultimately cost them $16.6 million in salary-cap space.
However, a post-June 1 trade would spread out that dead cap charge, and they would actually save $6.9 million against the cap this season with a $23.5 million dead cap charge next year, per Spotrac.
Adams is still obviously capable of elite production. The Raiders shouldn't be looking to trade him just to trade him, but they might be in a position where they need to draft the quarterback of the future next season.
So, if they can get at least a first-round pick for the Fresno State product, it might be worth looking into the possibility of dealing him.
.png?w=256 "Steelers Rodgers Football")
.jpg?w=256 "Chiefs Free Agency Football")
.jpg?w=256 "Lions Chiefs Football")
.png?w=480 "Steelers Rodgers Football")
.jpg?w=480 "Chiefs Free Agency Football")
.jpg?w=480 "Lions Chiefs Football")
.jpg?w=480 "Cardinals Draft Love Football")
