Realistic Draft Trade Possibilities for the Oakland Raiders

The Oakland Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie has made it clear his lines are open for business when it comes to trading the fourth overall pick.

According to CSNBayArea.com reporter Scott Bair, McKenzie didn’t confirm the Raiders were actively looking for a trade, but they consider offers: 

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Reporter: Have you gotten phone calls from other teams inquiring about the No. 4 overall pick?

McKenzie: (pause) Yes.

It’s not shocking news that teams would gauge McKenzie’s interest in trading out of the No. 4 overall pick. It’s rational for McKenzie to know what he might get for the selection.

"My phone line is always open,” McKenzie said. “You hear everybody out. If it makes sense and it’s going to help the Raiders, we’ll do a deal."

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This wouldn’t be the first time Oakland traded a top-five overall pick. In 2013, McKenzie traded out of the No. 3 spot back to No. 12 and selected D.J. Hayden. That hasn’t panned out so well thus far.

Who are Oakland's most likely trade partners for the 2015 draft? We’ll examine who might be on the other line when McKenzie picks up the phone on draft day and delve into how it affects drafting strategies for Rounds 1 and 2.

Trade Down for the New York Jets' No. 6 Pick and a Second-Round Pick

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

The New York Jets are by the far the best trade partner for the Raiders. Why? The two teams are only separated by one pick in the first two rounds. In other words, only one player would be taken off the board after trading back in the first round, and the Raiders would have two selections nearly back-to-back in the second round.

If Marcus Mariota slips by the Tennessee Titans at No. 2, McKenzie should be taking all calls from the Jets front office—and it’s clear that calls will be made, per The New York Times' Ben Shpigel: "With many teams interested in Mariota, he is unlikely to be available at the sixth pick, which the Jets have. Maccagnan intends to speak with the five teams drafting ahead of the Jets—Tampa Bay, Tennessee, Jacksonville, Oakland and Washington—to gauge the cost of moving up."

The Jets would likely give up their second-round pick with the No. 6 overall pick to Oakland in order to grab Mariota.

Wide receiver isn’t a priority position for the Washington Redskins. After the loss of Brian Orakpo in free agency, Dante Fowler Jr. seems fitting with the No. 5 pick, which leaves Amari Cooper for the Raiders at No. 6.

The following two selections at No. 35 and No. 37 should be guard A.J. Cann and defensive end Nate Orchard.

Cann is the second-ranked guard in the draft class, per CBSSports.com, and should immediately step into the starting lineup over Khalif Barnes.

Orchard, the NCAA’s second-best pass rusher with 18 sacks in 2014, has the opportunity to start at defensive end. This decreases the need for Khalil Mack to play a tweener role between defensive end and linebacker.

Trade Down for San Francisco 49ers' No. 15 Pick and a Second-Round Pick

Jeff Chiu/Associated Press

The San Francisco 49ers lost a portion of their core defensive unit. Patrick Willis, Justin Smith (perhaps) and Chris Borland have all retired. The 49ers need an impact defensive player to maintain their identity. It wouldn’t be a surprise if the front office made a move to acquire Leonard Williams or Fowler. Neither player will make it to No. 15. 

Trading back for the No. 15 pick would give the Raiders a legitimate shot at selecting DE Alvin Dupree. In my opinion, the Kentucky defensive lineman is the best DE in this draft class and the most fitting for the Raiders’ 4-3 scheme with a mix of speed, power and pass-rushing techniques.

According to NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein, Dupree is the prototypical pass-rushing DE with a unique ability to drop back and cover tight ends, running backs and intermediate pass routes:

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Freakish athlete with chiseled frame. Posted incredible 42-inch vertical leap and 4.56 40 at the combine while weighing 269 pounds. Outstanding power with ability to rag-doll tight ends at will. Should be an above average edge-setter. Good transition from playing run to rushing quarterback in play-action. Explosive closing burst. Willing thumper when he has a shot on running back. Can drop into space and play zone. Raw, but learning with huge growth potential as a player. Has strength at the point to be a physical edge-setter. Scouts give him plus grade for character.

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The Raiders would get a versatile player off the edge who helps sets the tone for the defense.

Trade Down for Houston Texans' No. 16 Pick and Second-Round Pick

Patric Schneider/Associated Press

This trade scenario resembles the previous circumstance proposed by the 49ers with a different motive.

The Houston Texans have J.J. Watt and Vince Wilfork on the defensive line. Former No. 1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney is positioned as a linebacker within Romeo Crennel’s 3-4 scheme.

Keep in mind the Texans are competing against Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts for AFC South supremacy. Luck would face a tough challenge squaring off against a defensive front featuring Watt, Wilfork, Clowney and Williams or Fowler.

The move to beef up the defense in an effort to punish Luck and his playmakers would make sense for the Texans. McKenzie should at least consider the offer if it's on the table.

At No. 16, Dupree should be available, as well as Jaelen Strong. It’s not Williams or Cooper, but DE-WR combinations of Dupree and Nelson Agholor or Orchard and Strong with another second-round pick are decent alternative selections.

It will boil down to what the scouts think about the second-round talent. Is it worth giving up a top-five pick for a mid- to late first-round selection and a second-round pick? Many NFL draft analysts say it’s a deep draft in terms of overall talent, so it’s not crazy to think the Raiders would prefer accumulating extra picks.

Trade Down for the Philadelphia Eagles' No. 20 Pick and Second-Round Pick

Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press

If you’re a Philadelphia Eagles fan reading this, don’t kid yourself. Chip Kelly is plotting and salivating over the idea of drafting Mariota.

It’s not just a reunion. Kelly and Mariota had a successful 2012 season at Oregon, finishing second in the AP poll. Despite trading for Sam Bradford and acquiring his former Oklahoma college teammate DeMarco Murray, I’m sure Kelly would break up that reunion to rejuvenate an old flame with Mariota.

Thus far Kelly’s offseason moves have been interesting, and he continues to work deals. Oakland would acquire the No. 20 overall pick, a second-round pick and possibly a decent player.

Trading back to No. 20 takes Oakland out of contention for Cooper and Kevin White, but Strong could be on the board with Jeremy Maclin now in Kansas City at No. 18.

Strong is a 50/50 jump-ball receiver who would complete this wide receiver corps. He’s still a raw talent, but his catching ability and size show his promising upside. He dominated at Arizona State with at least 1,100 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in each of his two seasons.

Trade Up for Another First-Round Draft Pick

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

Trading out of the No. 4 overall spot may not be the best option for Oakland. Trading back into the first round could be crucial in filling the roster with NFL-ready talent.

The jury is still out on Hayden at cornerback. If he’s limited with another injury this season, Keith McGill may be thrust into the starting lineup opposite Travis Carrie.

Is McGill ready in his second year?

The Raiders roster is filled with No. 2 and nickelback CBs, but no one who can consistently cover big physical receivers like Demaryius Thomas, Brandon Marshall and Calvin Johnson—all receivers the Raiders will play against this season.

Sure, McGill has the size (6'3", 211 lbs), but does he have enough talent?

The solution to defending larger receivers is in the first round of this draft, and his name is Byron Jones. He is a four-year starter out of Connecticut and the type of non-powerhouse talent McKenzie likes to recruit.

He’s 6’1”, 199 pounds and projects well as an NFL starter with his instinctive play, per Zierlein:

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Extremely smart and instinctive on the field. Shows above-average anticipation of routes. Is able to sniff out rub routes and works to avoid them. Flashes recovery speed downfield and gets head around to find ball and make a play on it. Uses instincts and adequate closing burst to disrupt the catch. Generally reliable tackler. Team captain and leader on the field and in the locker room. Scouts say he's willing to play hurt and inspires his teammates.

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According to The Associated Press via ESPN.com, Jones had season-ending shoulder surgery, which may have killed some of his buzz leading up to the draft. Nevertheless, he should be on McKenzie’s watch list.

The Super Bowl featured two teams with exceptional defensive backs in a game that came down to an interception. The importance of solid DBs is sometimes overlooked, but it should be a top priority when elite quarterbacks have been and will continue to be featured in Super Bowls to come.

Hayden may have the talent but has lacked the durability to sustain the grind of an every-down season-long CB in the starting lineup. Jones, though he missed half of his senior year, played three consecutive seasons without missing a game. His toughness, high character and skill set should catapult him from good to great in the NFL.

According to ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr.'s latest mock draft, Jones is projected as the 27th overall pick for the Dallas Cowboys. He’s worth surrendering an early second-round pick and a future second-round pick for, if necessary.

Do you have any trade suggestions for the Raiders? Who's the best trade partner for the No. 4 pick? Tweet your thoughts to Maurice's Twitter. All opinions welcome.