In recent years, Las Vegas Raiders general manager Mike Mayock and head coach Jon Gruden have been the subject of scrutiny. The woes don’t stop there, as their free agency pick-ups have not been much better. Leading into a pivotal 2021 season, they still need help at vital positions. However, they don’t have a good trade record in the first round of the draft. For that reason, they should consider trading their first-round pick in this year’s selection meeting.
The departure of Trent Brown has left a massive hole at the right tackle position (no pun intended). Also, the secondary is nowhere near where it needs to be. There’s plenty of work to do and if the Raiders continue to falter and miss the playoffs, Gruden’s seat should start heating up. He’s barely in Year 3 of his ten-year deal, but the Raiders can’t afford another losing season.
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Who should the Raiders trade for?
A glaring need right now, after a week of free agency, is in the secondary. Just as Kam Chancellor had Earl Thomas, Johnathan Abram needs a free safety. Look at what the Seattle Seahawks did last offseason. They saw a playmaker in safety Jamal Adams and traded him for two first-round selections and a third.
Teams such as the Saints and the Bears have top-echelon free safeties in Marcus Williams and Eddie Jackson, respectively. Both of these organizations are also in desperate need of draft picks, as they have their own problems as well.
Gruden’s and Mayock’s track record in draft season leaves a lot to be desired. They struck gold in players such as running back Josh Jacobs and defensive end Maxx Crosby, but other than that, it has been a struggle to get production. In a COVID-19 year, where so many college players can’t be scouted, as usual, the Raiders should use at least a first to get proven talent.
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