The NFL trade deadline is coming up fast. Not like the NFL needs it to spurn deals, with Marcus Peters moved to Baltimore and Jalen Ramsey taking his place in the L.A. Rams' secondary earlier this week.
NFL trades used to be rare, especially around the deadline. Pre-draft deals were more common, but now we're seeing moves at several points in the calendar, including big names upset with their current lot and teams tired of dealing with disgruntled stars despite holding all the leverage.
The Raiders certainly have needs and the NFL draft capital to go get any player they want heading toward the Oct. 29 deadline. Just because they can, however, doesn't mean they will.
They've already acquired Trevor Davis (2020 sixth-round pick) and Zay Jones (2021 fifth-round pick) this season and gave up two picks on the Antonio Brown experiment. They aren't averse to making deals, but this team remains in the midst of a rebuild. They'd like young foundation pieces, with cheap controllable contracts, added via the NFL draft. Can't do that by giving all your selections away in an attempt to win now.
The Raiders were interested in Ramsey but were never willing to give up what the Rams did to get him. They're willing to deal, but it has to be the right guy at the right price.
The Raiders have needs aplenty, and midseason acquisitions could be more attractive if they manage to beat the Packers in Green Bay and find themselves (gasp!) atop a compacted AFC West entering midseason. Patrick Mahomes got hurt in Thursday's game against Denver, a blow that could significantly hurt the front-running Chiefs and give the Raiders a window to take the whole division if they continue playing well.
