In 2023, the Raiders missed the playoffs for a second straight season, however a robust end ought to give the fan base optimism. After it fired Josh McDaniels in Week 9, Las Vegas went 5-4 underneath Antonio Pierce, who had his interim tag eliminated.
To excel in Las Vegas, the first-year head coach should improve the roster and discover gamers who purchase into the tradition he is attempting to determine.
With that in thoughts, here’s a commerce, a reduce and a signing the Las Vegas Raiders ought to make.
TRADE: Transfer up within the draft and take a quarterback
Aidan O’Connell — a fourth-round select of Purdue — had his moments throughout his rookie season, however he is not a franchise QB. In 11 video games, he accomplished 62.1 p.c of his passes for 12 TDs, seven interceptions and a below-average 40.5 QBR.
The Raiders have the thirteenth total choose within the 2024 NFL Draft. The highest QB prospects may fly off the board, so transferring up can be a good suggestion. ESPN’s Dan Graziano reported the Patriots are “open” to buying and selling the third total choose. Las Vegas ought to name New England and attempt to make a deal.
If the Raiders commerce up, anticipate them to focus on 2023 Heisman winner Jayden Daniels. Earlier than the QB transferred to LSU, Pierce was “a big fan” of Daniels once they have been at Arizona State.
CUT: QB Jimmy Garoppolo
The NFL just lately suspended Garoppolo for violating its Efficiency-Enhancing Substances Coverage. Per The Athletic’s Vic Tafur and Dianna Russini, the Raiders are anticipated to chop him in March to keep away from paying him an $11.25M roster bonus.
Whereas Las Vegas might attempt to commerce Jimmy G, groups will not be keen on a declining participant. Final season, the 32-year-old threw extra interceptions (9) than TDs (seven) in six begins, and the crew benched him in favor of O’Connell in Week 9.
Slicing Garoppolo with a post-June 1 designation would save $24.07M, which might assist the Raiders make a splash in free company. OTC estimates they’ve $35.25M in cap room.
SIGNING: Defensive sort out Justin Madubuike
The Raiders protection improved final season, ending seventh within the league in factors allowed (19.5). Nonetheless, it might use another star to vault to the subsequent degree.
Madubuike, 26, recorded profession highs in sacks (13), tackles for loss (12) and pressures (33). He additionally completed ninth in Defensive Participant of the 12 months voting and earned his first Professional Bowl nod.
His market worth is a four-year deal price $20.3M annually, seventh at his place. That is a sizeable price ticket; nonetheless, Las Vegas wants elite defensive gamers, particularly with the crew planning to implement particular “rules” to cease Kansas Metropolis Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes.