The Las Vegas Raiders need a franchise-altering move at this year’s NFL draft; trading for the No. 3 pick would certainly qualify as such. The Washington Commanders (at the time, the Redskins) pulled off a trade for Robert Griffin III back in 2012; maybe the Raiders could emulate such a move.
Will the Raiders trade up for Jayden Daniels? B/R laid out scenario…
During this time of year, insane trade scenarios start circulating in conversations and articles. It’s only natural; there’s only one game left in the season, after all. However, Bleacher Report’s Ryan Fowler laid out a somewhat plausible move. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that, in order to move up in this year’s draft, it will take a lot. So, Fowler has the Raiders giving up the 13th overall pick along with this year’s second-round pick. On top of that, Las Vegas would need to surrender next year’s first rounder and a second-round choice in 2026.
In exchange, the Raiders could nab Jayden Daniels at No. 3, reuniting him with head coach Antonio Pierce. Now that’s an Earth-shattering move, folks. It would mean that Pierce and the Raiders are serious about getting down to business next season, as Fowler laid out.
“This deal is reminiscent of the trade Washington made in 2012 when it sent the house to St. Louis (pick swap in 2012, ’12 second rounder, and two future first-rounders) for the right to draft Heisman-winning signal-caller Robert Griffin III. However, if head coach Antonio Pierce wants to build the Raiders from the ground up, drafting his face for the franchise could be a great message to Las Vegas fans that he’s not wasting any time.”
Reuniting Jayden Daniels and Antonio Pierce…
For those of you who might not be familiar with Daniels, this year’s Heisman winner has a well-documented relationship with Pierce. The former LSU quarterback was even on hand in the Raiders’ locker room for their regular season finale.
In terms of what this move would mean for new general manager Tom Telesco, the ramifications could be massive. The team already fields an impressive defense, so, by all accounts, adding a rookie quarterback could be the missing piece—akin to the Houston Texans this past season with C.J. Stroud.
The question is, will Telesco be comfortable shipping out so much draft capital for one player? That ultimately remains to be seen; his history with the Los Angeles Chargers doesn’t indicate a major trade-up will be on the cards.
Be Bold Once More, Antonio Pierce: Land Your Raiders A Top-Flight QB Prospect