The jury is certainly out for the Las Vegas Raiders after Day 1 of the 2023 NFL Draft. General manager Dave Ziegler played it smart and selected the best pass rusher available save for Will Anderson Jr., who was already off the board. Tyree Wilson at No. 7 makes sense when you look at the abysmal pass-rushing numbers that the Raiders have posted the last few years. Yes, EDGE might’ve not been one of the top two, maybe three, positions of need, but an improvement was required either way. However, an interesting tidbit has made its way around the internet ahead of Day 2. It turns out that Ziegler and the Raiders were trying to make a move.
Earlier Friday morning, Pro Football Talk reported that the Raiders were among the teams that were looking to trade back in the first round.
Per source, the Titans, Falcons, and Raiders were “desperately” trying to trade back into the bottom of round one last night.
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) April 28, 2023
Why were the Raiders and Dave Ziegler trying to trade back?
PFT has been the subject of criticism at times when it comes to its sources. However, it’s not too unreasonable to think of trading down as an option, especially if the plan was to go defense all along.
Nevertheless, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler also added earlier Friday morning that the Pittsburgh Steelers have been engaged in trade talks. They own the 32nd pick, so maybe the Raiders could be looking at a potential move.
On top of that, Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network also added that the Raiders are “high” on Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker. So much so that Pauline makes it known that Ziegler was trying to move back into the first round. Needless to say, this is a lot of movement.
Four teams have engaged the #Steelers with legitimate interest in trading for the No. 32 pick, per sources. Pittsburgh would need an aggressive offer to move off the pick, given the talent available to it should the Steelers stay put.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) April 28, 2023
By the conclusion of Day 1, the Raiders had stayed put; no moves had been made. Without any official confirmation from the man himself or the organization, it’s hard to fathom what the original plan was. In terms of defensive talent, this year’s class is deep. So deep that Ziegler and the Raiders could walk away with another pair of instant starters on Day 2. Let’s say the Raiders traded down into the latter half of the round; there’d still be plenty of game-changing talent.
One thing we’re sure of is that Wilson’s selection was a solid one. Perhaps Will Levis, who quickly fell off during the first round, might’ve been in play. For now, it’s onto Friday’s action.
*Top Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images
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