The 2020 NFL Draft is upon us and with it, a flurry of activity. Many front offices will trade picks and we may also see some players changing teams. The Las Vegas Raiders aren’t exempt to those kind of transactions and we could see them moving three players.
When it comes to the draft, there are things that make too much sense not to happen such as the Bengals choosing Joe Burrow first overall. On the other hand, we have to always expect the unexpected and players we think are otherwise safe could suddenly be sent packing.
Here are three players the Raiders could trade not necessarily on the first day but perhaps in the second or last day.
Derek Carr, QB
Let’s get this one, out of the way right now. Carr being traded isn’t a conspiracy or an idea that just popped up out of nowhere. The Raiders considered getting Tom Brady in the offseason. They didn’t pursue him all the way to the end, but they seriously thought about it. Later, there was a report about the quarterback being heavily shopped during this year’s NFL Scouting Combine. At no point have general manager Mike Mayock or head coach Jon Gruden absolutely said that Carr will not be traded. Sure, they’ve said they like him, but nothing is stopping them from upgrading the position in the draft, and one of the first steps would be to trade the signal-caller.
Trading Carr comes with one caveat though, the front office has to make sure they get the quarterback they want, and if that doesn’t happen, they can keep adding weapons to the roster and give Carr a one-year trail.
Related: The Only Nation Podcast: It’s Draft Time!
Gabe Jackson, G
Some weeks ago, there was talk about Jackson being on the trade block. When the Raiders gave him one of the top contracts for a guard at the time, they probably expected Jackson to join the top echelon at his position. For whatever reason, it hasn’t happened and even though he’s good, he isn’t what someone would call a franchise player. He’s a fan favorite, but Las Vegas can do without him and his $9 million salary in 2020. The front office already re-sign Denzelle Good, who played well in Jackson’s place last year.
With his potential replacement already in the roster, Jackson could be traded to a team that missed on an competent guard in the draft.
P.J. Hall, DT
The 2018 second round pick hasn’t lived up to the hype. The Sam Houston State product has been adequate in the defensive line, but with the addition of Maliek Collins this past free agency and Maurice Hurst on the verge of breaking out, the Gruden regime could be ready to pull the plug on the Hall experiment. To make matters worse, Johnathan Hankins is currently is part of the defensive line rotation and the Raiders could add another tackle in the draft.
Although the coaching staff may have given up on Hall, there might be another team that can take him as a project and try to resurrect his career.
At one point, these three players have been part of trade talks, but the Raiders actually pulling the trigger will depend on two things, that the Raiders find a replacement and the demand they generate.
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Top Photo by Nhat V. Mayer/News Bay Area Group