Raiders' Top Hypothetical Trades to Make Splash in 2024 NFL Draft
The Las Vegas Raiders have had a productive offseason thus far. They addressed two key positions by signing defensive tackle Christian Wilkins and journeyman quarterback Gardner Minshew. They also bolstered their backfield by adding Alexander Mattison and re-signing Ameer Abdullah.
A defense that showed a ton of promise down the stretch in 2023 could be better. Zamir White will have running back help, and Las Vegas has an experienced option to challenge Aidan O'Connell at quarterback.
What the Raiders have essentially done is give themselves options in the 2024 draft. With eight total selections—including the 13th overall pick—draft day trades will be among those options.
Here, we'll examine three hypothetical but realistic trades that would help Las Vegas make a splash on draft weekend.
Trade into the Top 5 for a Quarterback
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Raiders Get: 2024 Round 1 Pick (No. 3)
Patriots Get: 2024 Round 1 Pick (No. 13), 2024 Round 2 Pick (No. 44), 2024 Round 4 Pick (No. 112), 2025 Round 1 Pick, 2025 Round 3 Pick
While the Raiders have quarterback depth in Minshew and O'Connell, they may still target their signal-caller of the future later this month. According to ESPN's Dan Graziano, Las Vegas is interested in making an aggressive move on opening night.
"The two that you hear the most strongly are the Minnesota Vikings and the Las Vegas Raiders," Graziano said on the March 28 episode of SportsCenter. "Those would be big jumps for both of those teams and it could really depend on what happens at the very top."
USC's Caleb Williams is widely expected to go No. 1 overall to the Chicago Bears. North Carolina's Drake Maye, LSU's Jayden Daniels and Michigan's J.J. McCarthy could soon follow.
If a quarterback the Raiders love is still available at No. 3—and the New England Patriots aren't sold on taking him—Las Vegas could make its move.
It would be expensive, likely costing Las Vegas multiple 2024 picks and a future first-rounder, at a minimum. The fact that teams like Minnesota are also interested in jumping up means that the Raiders cannot expect a bargain.
However, if Maye, Daniels or McCarthy goes on to be a top-tier quarterback for the Raiders, Las Vegas will still look back believing it got a steal.
Trade Up for a Cornerback or Edge-Rusher
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Raiders Get: 2024 Round 1 Pick (No. 9)
Bears Get: 2024 Round 1 Pick (No. 13), 2024 Round 3 Pick (No. 77), 2025 Round 3 Pick
While the Raiders defense projects as an above-average unit in 2024, it could still use a premier lockdown cornerback or an elite edge-rusher to pair with Maxx Crosby. Adding a prospect like Florida State edge-rusheer Jared Verse or Alabama corner Terrion Arnold would go a long way toward solidifying Las Vegas' defense.
The potential issue is that the three of the four teams picking directly in front of the Raiders—the Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings and Denver Broncos—are potential threats to target defensive players. That is assuming that Minnesota or Denver doesn't make its move up for a quarterback.
In this scenario, Las Vegas trades with Chicago to secure the top cornerback or pass-rusher on its board. Bears general manager Ryan Poles probably isn't dealing the No. 1 overall pick, but he traded last year's top selection, showing a willingness to flip picks for future draft capital.
Chicago currently has just four selections in 2024 too.
Trading up a few spots wouldn't be as expensive as moving into the top three. And while this theoretical deal wouldn't be as splashy as making a mover for a quarterback, it would net the Raiders one of the best defenders in the 2024 class.
Trade Back into Round 1 for a Quarterback
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Raiders Get: 2024 Round 1 Pick (No. 31), 2024 Round 5 Pick (No. 176), 2024 Round 6 Pick (No. 215), 2024 Round 7 Pick (No. 251)
49ers Get: 2024 Round 2 Pick (No. 44), 2024 Round 3 Pick (No. 77),
If the Raiders miss their chance to trade into the top three or four for a quarterback, they could still look to snag one at the bottom of Round 1.
Washington's Michael Penix Jr. and Oregon's Bo Nix are in the next tier of quarterbacks. While neither may truly be worth a Round 1 selection—Nix is more of a developmental prospect while Penix carries injury concerns—the fifth-year option is a powerful roster-building tool.
To get the fifth-year option, Las Vegas would have to grab its quarterback in Round 1.
In this hypothetical trade, the Raiders deal with the San Francisco 49ers and move a spot ahead of the rival Kansas City Chiefs. San Francisco has 10 total selections but could use this as an opportunity to grab more players from a deep second tier of talent while unloading some less valuable late-round picks.
The Raiders would likely walk away with far less rosterable talent, but they'd get a second first-round pick and a quarterback to develop behind Minshew and O'Connell in 2024.
*Draft order information via Tankathon
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