3 Players Raiders Must Consider Trading at 2023 NFL Deadline

The Las Vegas Raiders might not be willing to trade Davante Adams before the 2023 NFL trade deadline, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't be sellers.

The Raiders enter the last full week before the trade deadline with a 3-4 record. While that's good enough for No. 2 in the AFC West, the division race is really a one-horse race and getting the No. 7 seed with this roster is a recipe for a quick exit in the playoffs.

They've already made it clear they aren't going to ship off their most interesting trade asset. Adam Schefter of ESPN reported the Raiders have informed other teams they will not be trading Adams, even if he's unhappy with the offense.

That doesn't mean the Raiders don't have some trade chips that could bring back a worthwhile return. As the Raiders continue to build toward getting better under Josh McDaniels and Dave Ziegler, there are multiple players worth considering trading away in order to build some draft capital and future cap flexibility.

RB Josh Jacobs

AP Photo/John Locher

Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (8) warms up before an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Davante Adams isn't the only player that the Raiders have told other teams is not on the market. Back in August, the Raiders reportedly told the Miami Dolphins that Josh Jacobs wasn't available.

Things were different in August, though, and it might be time to revisit that stance.

In August, Jacobs was coming off a monster season in which he lead the league in rushing and was the engine that drove the Raiders offense. That hasn't been the case this season. Jacobs is an inefficient 2.9 yards per carry with 347 yards on the ground in seven games.

The Raiders also looked like they might be able to take a step forward in August. With Jimmy Garoppolo coming to town McDaniels had his quarterback and the team could ostensibly go from 6-11 to competing for a playoff spot.

The Raiders are 3-4, but the three wins have come against fellow struggling teams and last week's 30-12 loss to the Bears was a more accurate indication of where this team is right now. Unless they are confident Garoppolo can come back from injury and rally the offense, it might be best to avoid another contract dispute with Jacobs and move on.

WR Hunter Renfrow

AP Photo/John Locher

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) warms up before an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Hunter Renfrow is a textbook trade chip.

His greatest success as a Raider came under a different regime, he isn't really involved in the offense and the team stands to clear up significant cap space if they can find a taker. A trade would clear up $6.9 million in cap space.

Renfrow has just eight catches on 12 targets this season. It doesn't really make sense to keep him around, but releasing him doesn't save the same amount of money.

The 27-year-old still has one more year left on his contract so he would be more than just a rental to a team willing to trade for him. Renfrow's fit with Jakobi Meyers was questionable from the start and the Raiders quarterback play has been shaky.

There's a good case to be made that Renfrow can still be a productive receiver; it just isn't happening in Las Vegas. It would be best for both parties to find a trade.

CB David Long

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - AUGUST 13: David Long Jr. #28 of the Las Vegas Raiders celebrates during a preseason game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on August 13, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

Owner Mark Davis has publicly stated that the team is looking to compete and not rebuild ahead of the trade deadline. That might be misguided, but there's a way for the Raiders to make deal at the deadline and remain as competitive as they can be.

While trading away Jacobs and/or Renfrow might not qualify, trading away David Long would.

The Raiders signed Long on a one-year contract this offseason in a flurry of moves that addressed the cornerback position. Seven weeks into the season it doesn't look like Long is the answer.

The former Ram is only playing 27 percent of the defensive snaps but most of those came in Week 7 when he played the whole game. Long was pressed into action against the Bears but he was a problem in the 30-12 loss. He allowed five catches on six targets for 42 yards.

Teams are always looking for cornerback depth. Long played well enough with the Rams to earn this chance from the Raiders in the first place, if the Silver and Black can find another team that wants to take a shot on him they would do well to get a draft pick for him.