National Football League

Oakland Raiders Trade Deadline Ideas

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 8:07 p.m. ET

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Will Reggie McKenzie and the Oakland Raiders make a move at the trade deadline? Here are a few of the ideas that have been thrown around.

The NFL’s trade deadline is November 1st at 4:30pm EST. It’s probably the most anti-climatic trade deadline in major sports, but hey, you never know.

Let’s take a look at some of the ideas thrown around for the Raiders, and whether or not McKenzie would consider any of them.

We’ll start with the most popular trade scenario being discussed amongst the fan base:

Sep 25, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Kawann Short (99) runs out of the tunnel during player introductions against the Minnesota Vikings at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Carolina Panthers DT Kawann Short for a 1st Round Pick.

This is an idea first suggested by Greg Bedard of Sports Illustrated. As Bedard explained:

“The Raiders are soft in the middle, which has led to star OLB Khalil Mack getting doubled teamed and so his sack numbers are down. To put it simply, the Raiders are in need of a big force in the middle of their lineup.” Bedard added, “Oakland GM Reggie McKenzie shouldn’t blink at sending a first-round pick. Short is worth the pick. The Raiders have plenty of cap room to sign him to an extension and he’ll be in the middle of that defense for years to come.”

While almost all of that is agreeable — the Raiders are in desperate need of an defensive presence on the interior of the line and Short is one of the best in the business, a first round pick is too steep.

Short is just 27 years old (he’ll be 28 in February) but he is a free agent at the end of the season. Oakland has cap space, but they also have to plan for contract extensions of Derek Carr, Khalil Mack, Gabe Jackson and Amari Cooper over the next few seasons.

And while 27 is still young, even if Short can be productive for the next four seasons, that first-round pick will still have a fifth-year team option. And with McKenzie’s ability to draft superstar talent in the first round, I like his chances to again strike gold with his first round pick, even if it is in the late 20’s.

Conclusion: Pass.

Oct 17, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) carries the ball as New York Jets defensive end Sheldon Richardson (91) defends during the first half at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Jets DT Sheldon Richardson for a 1st Round Pick.

This was proposed by Sam Monson of Pro Football Focus. Per Monson:

The Raiders badly miss Mario Edwards Jr. this season in the middle of that defense. It’s left them with no interior threat, and teams can more effectively deal with Khalil Mack when he is the sole source of disruption on the line.

Monson continued:

They could get a boost with Aldon Smith’s return if he is reinstated by the league, but that would just give them a second edge presence, leaving the Raiders still with nothing inside. Richardson can destroy the middle of offensive lines in both the run and pass game, and could provide the key to getting that Oakland defense to play up to the sum of its parts, not below that level.

With Muhammad Wilkerson and Leonard Williams also on the Jets defensive line, Richardson becomes an expendable asset.

Richardson earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2014 and is one of the best, young interior defensive linemen in the league. He’ll be 26 at the end of November and is under contract through 2017. It’s not unreasonable to think he can be a very good player for the next six or seven seasons.

This would give the Raiders an elite interior presence who can affect games as a pass rusher and a run stopper. The front seven with Sheldon, Khalil, Irvin, Mario Edwards Jr. and Aldon Smith could be filthy.

Ideally, trading a second round pick would the way to go, but that might not be enough for the Jets to do it. If push comes to shove, I’d be okay with McKenzie trading a 1st for Richardson. It’s a steep price and I’m generally against trading high picks, but picking in the late 20’s, you’d be very fortunate to land a player of Richardson’s caliber in that range.

While similar things can be said for Kawann Short, the difference is the two years in age. Getting an extra two seasons of Richardson in his prime makes him the ideal trade target between the two.

Conclusion: Try to trade a second-round pick instead, but a first is okay if necessary.

Oct 11, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles tight end Brent Celek (87) catches the ball and leaps between New Orleans Saints cornerback Delvin Breaux (40) and middle linebacker Stephone Anthony (50) during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles won 39-17. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia Eagles TE Brent Celek for a 6th Round Pick.

This suggestion comes via Connor Orr of NFL.com. Per Orr:

“Raiders offensive coordinator and former Eagles assistant Bill Musgrave also knows Celek and could get some usage out of the tight end beyond the standard bootleg pass every now and then. Clive Walford only has 16 catches for the Raiders to this point in the season, and opening up the field for Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree should be priority No. 1.”

Musgrave was the QB Coach in Philadelphia for the 2014 season, so there is some familiarity here. And with Lee Smith out for the season, Clive Walford not producing and Mychal Rivera not being any better, there is also a need at the position.

Celek has averaged 41 catches for 523 yards 3 TD’s over the first nine seasons of his career in Philadelphia. Now in his 10th season, Celek has seen minimal playing time behind Zach Ertz. Hence why he could be a trade target.

Celek will be 32 in January and is under contract through 2018. So at least he wouldn’t be a one-year rental. But given his career production, especially that in recent seasons, we know what type of player Celek is.

So while a boost in production at the tight end position would be welcomed, Celek isn’t the answer. There is a slim chance he’d produce anything more than Walford does now, and giving up a sixth-round pick — where Cory James was drafted — for a tight end going on 32 is not a wise investment.

Conclusion: Pass.

Sep 27, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden (23) Oakland Raiders running back Taiwan Jones (22) at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Browns CB Joe Haden for a 2nd Round Pick.

This scenario is via Brian Rauf of Chat Sports. Per Rauf:

“Cleveland figures to be open for business, making Haden — one of the better cornerbacks in the league — one of the most likely to be moved. The Raiders rank last in the lead in passing yards allowed, and desperately need to upgrade their secondary as they look to make the playoffs for the first time since 2002.”

Yes, Cleveland should be open for business. They need draft picks to help with the rebuild, and Haden isn’t going to do much in terms of helping that team win, as bad as they are. Making him potentially expendable.

But no, Haden is not one of the better cornerbacks in the league. He was two years ago, but it’s been a rough go for him as of late.

Still, this is something Reggie McKenzie and co. should consider. Per Dr. David Chao (@ProFootballDoc), Sean Smith could have a shoulder dislocation with a possible labral tear. He could play on it, but it’s a potentially serious injury.

If Smith misses extended time, that leaves *gulp* D.J. Hayden as the No. 2 cornerback in Oakland. While this has been Hayden’s best year on the career, if he is forced to play on the outside, all of that could go out the window.

If the Raiders fancy themselves contenders, they’ll have to make a move to patch up the secondary. Haden could be that guy.

Haden won’t be 28 until April and is under contract until 2019, albeit at an expensive annual price tag. He could play on the outside if Smith misses time and an excellent slot corner with Smith healthy.

But with his salary, a second round pick is asking a lot. If it could be a mid-round pick, then I’d be okay with the deal. Otherwise…

Conclusion: Pass.

Dec 24, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders running back Taiwan Jones (22) warms up before the game against the San Diego Chargers at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

The Raiders trade Taiwan Jones.

The final scenario is a bit unique, in that it suggests a player that is currently on the roster to be traded. Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com says the Raiders should part ways with Taiwan Jones.

Per Gutierrez:

The fastest player on the Raiders’ roster, and the lone position player still in Oakland who was drafted by the late Al Davis, Jones simply cannot get on the field. He has been inactive three of the past four games. Sure, Jones has a nagging injury here and there, but a change of scenery might also serve as a salve. He could help a team in need of speed, and he not only returns kickoffs but is also a top-flight gunner on special teams.

I agree with everything Gutierrez said here. Jalen Richard has effectively replaced Taiwan as the kick returner, and Jones has also been replaced as the team’s gunner. He’s also buried on the depth chart behind Latavius Murray and the rookie backs, so he’s really of no more use to the team.

The problem is, what team would trade for Taiwan? He is 28 years old with one more year on his contract, and if any team has paid attention the last few seasons, they’ll realize that while Taiwan is an incredible athlete, his inconsistency is obvious.

Better football players than Taiwan get traded for 6th or 7th round picks, so the Raiders would be fortunate to even fetch that much.

Conclusion: Not Realistic.