Raiders' Top Hypothetical Trades to Make Splash in 2024 NFL Draft

New Las Vegas Raiders Tom Telesco made one of the splashiest moves of free agency when he signed Christian Wilkins to a four-year, $110 million contract.

The contract is the biggest non-quarterback deal of this free agency period. It also creates a fun new pass-rushing unit. Pairing Wilkins with Maxx Crosby and Malcolm Koonce gives the Raiders a group of quarterback hunters to build the defense around.

But the Raiders have been relatively quiet outside of that. Their next biggest signing was backup quarterback Gardner Minshew. They inked the veteran quarterback to a two-year, $25 million contract.

It's an important move, but not one that's going to generate a lot of headlines.

If Telesco has one more major move in store this offseason it's likely to come in the form of a trade. The draft tends to be a catalyst for shocking trades and there aren't that many high-impact free agents left on the market.

Here's a look at three hypothetical trades that would certainly bring a buzz to next season.

Trade Up to No. 4 for J.J. McCarthy

Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy

Cardinals Receive: 2024 first-round pick (No. 13 overall), 2024 third-round pick (No. 77 overall), 2025 first-round pick

Raiders Receive: 2024 first-round pick (No. 4 overall)

Not saying this is a good move. Just that it would certainly be splashy.

The Arizona Cardinals perked up ears around the league last week when general manager Monti Ossenfort told media they are willing to have conversations about trading down from the fourth pick overall.

The Raiders could be among the quarterback-needy teams who are willing to get aggressive and give up a bevy of picks to get their guy.

In this case, "their guy" would likely be J.J. McCarthy. The Michigan quarterback has been climbing up mock drafts since the combine and seems to be gaining steam. He was in a low-volume passing attack at Michigan but has impressed when people have went back to look at his tape.

B/R scout Derrik Klassen has some concerns, though.

"McCarthy's arm is also mildly concerning. He has the velocity to fit those throws moving over the middle, but that's it. McCarthy is a one-speed thrower who struggles to layer throws in, particularly down the field and outside the numbers," he noted in his scouting report.

There are certainly unknowns with McCarthy but he's also a young prospect. He just turned 21 in January while Jayden Daniels is already 23.

The Raiders aren't in a great position to draft a quarterback without a trade up and the roster is too good to believe they will be in a better position next year. It's a steep price for a quarterback with a lot of unknowns but it would certainly draw attention.

A Stunning AFC West Move

Michael Owens/Getty Images

Pat Surtain II

Kansas City Chiefs Receive: No. 13 overall, No. 44 overall

Las Vegas Raiders Receive: CB Patrick Surtain II

Inter-division trades aren't ideal for a team looking to ship off a really talented player, but they also aren't unheard of. If it makes sense for both sides then they typically happen.

That's why a trade bringing in Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II would be equal parts shocking and intriguing.

The Raiders still need an outside corner. Jack Jones was a revelation at the end of last season and should be penciled in as a starter, but the team lost Amik Robertson in free agency which opens up a starting spot on the outside.

The major objection to a deal like this would be that it would take the Raiders out of the running to draft a quarterback with their first two picks. But that's the beauty of signing Gardner Minshew to a two-year contract. It takes out some of the desperation in their quarterback hunt.

Instead, this move would let the Broncos take a major risk on a quarterback prospect in this draft while the Raiders continue to build an elite defense. Broncos head coach Sean Payton recently told media that it would be "realistic" for them to trade up from No. 12 to get a quarterback.

The problem for them is they are short on draft capital. They rank 19th in Tankatahon's rankings. A deal that would give them a first and second could be just what they need to have the ammunition to move up and take a quarterback.

Meanwhile, the Raiders would have a blue-chip player that would elevate an already-high ceiling for the defense.

The Other Quarterback Trade Option

David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Washington QB Michael Penix

49ers Receive: 2024 second-round pick (No. 44 overall), 2024 fifth-round pick (No. 158 overall), 2025 fourth-round pick

Raiders Receive: 2024 first-round pick (No. 31 overall)

While most of the attention on where J.J. McCarthy is going to land in the draft has been focused on trading up to the top 10, the Michigan quarterback isn't the only intriguing option outside of the top three.

Bo Nix and Michael Penix Jr. are also in our top 100 and carry a 7.0 grade from B/R scout Derrik Klassen, signifying a high-level backup/potential starter.

Add in the premium at the quarterback position and it's not hard to see both being taken in the first round.

But Pick 13 coud be a little rich. Especially because the Raiders could add a good tackle prospect like JC Latham as they did in our most recent mock.

In that mock, the Raiders go on to take Penix in the second round two picks after the Minnesota Vikings take Nix.

If the Raiders like either one enough to draft them they should consider trading back into the first round to do it. For one, it would give them a fifth-year option on the quarterback. That's not as nice as it was under the old collective bargaining agreement, but it's still another cost-controlled year.

In this scenario, they choose to work with the Niners rather than their division rival Chiefs who own the 32nd pick.