Las Vegas Raiders

Raiders Receive: Lamarcus Joyner and a Second Round Pick
Jaguars Receive: Yannick Ngakoue and a Fifth Round Pick

The Las Vegas Raiders (sounds a bit strange to say) surprised a lot of teams with how competitive they were last season. After the Antonio Brown saga, many people wrote them off. However, they came just a few games shy of a playoff appearance.

This year, the stakes are higher. Clelin Ferrell wasn’t terrible, but he is more of a rotational pass rusher and needs to show significant improvement. Maxx Crosby was a pleasant surprise, but not enough to carry a pass rush. In comes the reliable Ngakoue, who can help these young defensive ends develop while adding much-needed depth to their pass rush.

Lamarcus Joyner is more than likely going to be replaced by former first round pick Johnathan Abram. Jacksonville needs a reliable free safety. Joyner is very similar to former Jaguars safety Tashaun Gipson. He can play in man, zone, and is a reliable tackler in the run game. They also get the Raiders’ second round draft pick, meaning they will have four picks in the first two rounds.

For Las Vegas, it is a gamble because it moves them out of rebuild mode and into the midst of a playoff battle. However, at some point a team needs to stop rebuilding and start winning. They missed out on drafting Josh Allen who fell to Jacksonville last season. How fitting it would be that they trade for the man Allen is replacing.