The Las Vegas Raiders currently have a respectable 3-3 record and are coming off two straight wins, but that record belies multiple problems they have.
Multiple players, including pass rusher Chandler Jones and star wide receiver Davante Adams, have criticized the organization for what they see as a lack of execution and culture. Adams, in particular, has complained about the fact that in those two wins, he had a total of just nine targets, six catches and 74 receiving yards.
Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is struggling with ball security and is banged up (he has been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears), and the Raiders’ defense has room for improvement.
With Jones gone, they could use another legitimate pass rusher to give Maxx Crosby some help on the opposite side of their front seven. Enter Brian Burns of the Carolina Panthers, who Clark Dalton of Yard Barker feels Las Vegas should trade for.
“The Panthers reportedly turned down two first-round picks last season for Burns, so the price would be high, but the Raiders should take the chance,” wrote Dalton. “Burns, a two-time Pro Bowler, leads the Panthers in sacks (four) and tackles for loss (six) through six games and would provide the pass-rush help they covet.”
Noting how high Burns’ price will likely be, Dalton suggested the Raiders throw in a player who not long ago was very high on their wide receiver depth chart.
“To entice the Panthers, the Raiders should add to the deal former Pro Bowl WR Hunter Renfrow (nine targets in six games), an afterthought in Las Vegas’ offense,” Dalton continued. “Panthers rookie QB Bryce Young, who has struggled (below-average 33.1 QBR), desperately needs another WR.”
As recently as 2021, Renfrow, who was then in his third season, was Las Vegas’ leader in receiving yards with 1,038 while scoring nine touchdowns. But the arrival of Adams, as well as Jakobi Meyers this past offseason, has resulted in his snap count falling precipitously this season, and as a result, he has just six catches for 59 yards through six games.
Meanwhile, Brian Burns is 25 years of age and only in his fifth season, and he seems to be on an upward trajectory. He had 12.5 sacks and 22 quarterback hits last year while being named to his second straight Pro Bowl.
The Panthers are the NFL’s only winless team remaining, and since they’re going nowhere, perhaps Burns could be had for the Raiders if they just put enough effort into trade discussions.
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