The Las Vegas Raiders’ linebacker corps has been a topic of discussion as the NFL season is right around the corner. Recruiting analyst Tristen Kuhn pointed out on Twitter that the group isn’t as bad as some might believe; however, it’s still a bottom-five unit. Nonetheless, there’s still plenty of time for general manager Dave Ziegler to swing a trade between now and Week 1.
Should Vegas decide to pull a deal for a linebacker, that player will join Maxx Crosby, who Pro Football Focus named one of the three best players on the Raiders heading into the new season.
Should the Raiders take a gamble on the Cardinals’ Isaiah Simmons?
The Raiders linebacker starters, as of right now, are likely to be Divine Deablo and Robert Spillane, which is why there are serious concerns about the corp. Bleacher Report’s Maurice Moton believes targeting Arizona Cardinals linebacker Isaiah Simmons is worth the gamble to help solve the Raiders’ issues at the position.
“The Cardinals are gonna say, ‘We’re not shopping him, we’re not looking to move him,’ but if you offer them something decent, I think they’ll think about it,” Moton said.
Simmons is a soon-to-be free agent after the Cardinals declined the fifth-year option on his rookie contract. As a result, Arizona could be open to recouping an asset rather than letting the 24-year-old leave for free after this season.
The Cardinals appear to be in rebuild mode, as they’re not likely to be better than the San Francisco 49ers. Furthermore, starting quarterback Kyler Murray is recovering from an ACL tear he suffered late last season.
If Arizona wants future assets, the Raiders will need to hand over draft capital to which they have eight draft picks in 2024 or part ways with a young player in a position of need. Vegas giving a mid-round pick that could turn into a second- or third-round with added details if Simmons reaches specific achievements could be enticing if the Cardinals want to stock on future assets.
Moton did propose for Dave Ziegler to send starting center Andre James to Arizona for Simmons, as the Cardinals will need to find a long-term replacement for Rodney Hudson.
PFF lists the three best Raiders heading into next season
A new NFL season is a couple of months away and PFF opted to rank the three best players on each team in the AFC West. Regarding the Raiders, the three names that PFF chose shouldn’t be a surprise, as Davante Adams, Josh Jacobs, and Crosby were the three chosen.
If Vegas wants to clinch a playoff spot this season, the trio must stay healthy and produce at the level many expect from them. The Raiders will likely be vying with all three teams within their division.
While the Raiders might not have a quarterback as their best player, they can also take solace in that the Denver Broncos don’t have Russell Wilson, who they’re paying $245 million.
*Top Photo: Christian Petersen/Getty Images
