The Las Vegas Raiders offense was solid last year, and it showed signs of growth in its second year under head coach Jon Gruden.
3 Offensive Players the Raiders Should Consider Trading for
With young building blocks scattered throughout the roster and a serviceable quarterback at worst, the foundation is there but they need to put more points on the scoreboard. By trading for any of these three players, the Silver and Black can take their offense to the next level.
Stefon Diggs, WR, Minnesota Vikings
This name should be familiar. Diggs has been on the mind of most Raider fans ever since his trade rumors started circulating in 2019. While there’s a good chance Las Vegas goes after CeeDee Lamb or Jerry Jeudy in the draft, trading for the Vikings playmaker would fill their need for a receiver and allow them to go with two defensive players in the first round.
Starting next season, Diggs will have four years left on a five-year extension worth $72 with $40 million guaranteed he signed in 2018. Those numbers look very big, but beginning in the 2021 season, his contract becomes rather team-friendly. He’ll make $10 million that year and $11.4 million the following two. However, if he’s cut in 2021, his contract would only amount to $6 million in dead cap, and just $3 million the following year.
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Diggs is an excellent deep threat that averages 12 yards per target. The Raiders need somebody with his talent to take the top off the defense and open everything up. He would be the perfect fit.
Cam Newton, QB, Carolina Panthers
When Newton is healthy, he’s one of the better quarterbacks in the NFL. The former first overall pick will be a free agent after the 2020 season, and he’s owed $21 million this year. That’s about the same as Carr’s contract, so if the Raiders were to swap Carr for Cam, it wouldn’t make much of a difference financially.
Newton’s value is about as low as it’s ever been, so trading for him would be a low-risk high-reward move. Here’s NFL Insider Jason La Canfora’s thoughts on the matter:
If he is healthy this is a great fit. [Jon] Gruden knows all of these quarterbacks from studying them and meeting them at ESPN. I could see him buying low on Cam. He’s ready to move on from (Derek) Carr. The Panthers need draft picks and the Raiders have plenty.” I have heard similar sentiments from other well-connected sources about this proposition and have yet to encounter a trusted source in the NFL who believes Carr will be back with the Raiders.
Newton hasn’t shown much promise as of late and has been banged up a lot over the last couple years. When in top shape, the 2015 MVP has all the skills of a franchise player and would be a very good stopgap solution for at least this upcoming season. He has the ability to improvise and extend plays, something that would be a welcome sight for Raider Nation.
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DeVonta Freeman
No, Freeman will not and should not replace Josh Jacobs. However, to keep the future of the Raiders healthy, it would make sense to add a back that can take some of the load off of Jacobs.
Freeman is going to be owed $6.5, $6.2, and $8.2 million respectively over the next three years. Jacobs struggled to stay healthy in his first full year as the featured back, and while he will certainly be the future of the Raiders offense for years to come, it’s important to add a player like Freeman to take some of the pressure off his shoulders.
In eight games with the Falcons last year, Freeman totaled 656 rushing yards and 410 receiving yards. He would be a great addition to a backfield, and a Raiders’ rushing attack with Jacobs and Freeman would be very intimidating.
Diggs, Newton and Freemen are three players who could add a lot to this Raiders offense. Free Agency and the draft are both great ways to add depth and talent, but the Raiders need to scan the market for players like these as well.
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