Five Possible Trade Deadline Moves For The Las Vegas Raiders

The NFL trade deadline is on November 3rd and the Las Vegas Raiders currently with a 3-3 record should be looking to make a trade to separate themselves from the middle of the pack as we approach the middle of the season. With some challenging games on the schedule ahead, yet still very winnable games, Las Vegas is in dire need of help on defense. Some can make an argument that more help on offense would be valuable, I can attest to that as well but for starters here are five realistic trade options for the Raiders.

1. 5th round pick for Marcus Maye. Marcus Maye, has been the bright spot on the atrocious New York Jets. He can play in a scheme that is similar to Paul Guenthers, Maye is often sent on blitz packages and he is good at stopping the run. In fact, 204 of his snaps have resulted in run support and 255 of his other snaps have dropped back into coverage where the Raiders desperately need help. This season so far, Maye has 28 tackles, two sacks and one interception. Maye is still young and entering a contract year with the New York Jets, they may not be willing to pay him the amount of money he will be asking for. Budda Baker’s contract has opened new doors for safeties, heck if the Raiders make this trade, they might not even be willing to pay him. But, Maye helps the Raiders out this season if the trade can be made, he plays extremely aggressive and has proven to be a solid tackler. Also, a player who is least penalized from a bad Jets team, only one flag thrown on Maye this year, which tells me, he can come over and play fundamental and smash mouth football.  

2. 3rd round pick, Lamarcus Joyner for Harrison Smith. Two years ago, heck, one year ago, if you told me that Harrison Smith is likely to be traded for even a 3rd round pick, I would say no way. But, the Cowboys just traded a very good Everson Griffen for a sixth round pick. So, anything is possible when it comes to draft pick value, I suppose. Harrison Smith, is exactly what the Raiders need. The hard hitting, ballhawking safety provides a pro bowl capability that the Raiders have not had at the position in decades. Granted, Smith and the rest of that Vikings secondary has struggled mightily. But, a breath of fresh air could be what the doctor orders for Harrison Smith, as he is another player who plays clean fundamental defense. So far, Smith has one interception and 20 tackles, he would make a huge difference for the Raiders secondary pairing up with Jonathan Abrams. Also, the Raiders would be able to swallow the pill of paying Lamacrus Joyner his seven million for this year, trading him away to the Vikings have them pay the rest of his deal and the Raiders bolster the position with a much better player in Harrison Smith. 

3. 6th round pick for Anthony Harris. Another Viking on the block, another safety to come help out this struggling secondary. Anthony Harris, is not going to blow the doors off and make the Raiders defense top ten. But, he is better than options we have right now at the position. Our current free safety, Erik Harris, has been a Gruden grinder, but I have no problem sliding him down and having a tandem of Anthony Harris and Jonathan Abrams. Harris has found himself in the back field a few times this year, nine stops, 30 tackles and no interceptions but a sideline to sideline buzzer that flies to the ball. 

4. 6th round pick for Geno Atkins. The defensive tackle has been a very interesting case for the Cincinnati Bengals. His most recent game against Cleveland he was only on the field for 12 snaps, it is to beleived that he has been recouping from a bothered shoulder injury. I am more than happy to trade a 6th round pick for Atkins who last year had 53 tackles and five sacks, this year in his 40 snaps no tackles yet. But the Raiders have Maurice Hurst, Jonathan Hankins and Maliek Collins adding veteran Geno Atkins at the position to work out the quinks and catch fire towards the end of the season. Could be a large benefit in the lacking Raiders pass rush. 

5. 5th round pick for AJ Green. Okay, for those who love to throw the rock around and score points this trade deal is for you. AJ Green, former superstar wide receiver has been looking for a way out of Cincinnati, the Bengals are rebuilding and getting younger, while Green is getting older. He has been targeted 57 times but has only caught 29 of those balls, while also not scoring a touchdown. It is obvious with his play he does not want to play there, by making a trade for AJ Green we are adding more weapons for Derek Carr and leaving no offensive excuses. Remember, the Raiders have Tyrell Williams? He is out for the year with an injury, since the start of the season. AJ Green would come in and open up much more for the rest of this young wide receiving core. He would fill in the role of Tyrell Williams, as the tall, lengthy yet faster red zone threat for Derek Carr. The Raiders red zone percentage has improved but the options remain, Josh Jacobs leaping over the top or Darren Waller getting open. Adding AJ Green creates one more weapon and a target for Derek Carr to throw a fade route. Be cautious with this trade though, a trade for AJ Green or really any offensive skill player only means the defense will not improve as much as the Raiders would like it to.