The Las Vegas Raiders have turned their season around by winning their last two games. Now one-third of the way through the 2023 regular season, Las Vegas is 3-3 and they have built some positive momentum.
There is still plenty of work remaining for the Raiders if they are going to reach the heights they feel capable of. Defeating the short-handed Chicago Bears on the road in Week 7 is certainly a necessity. But, if they are going to remain relevant for the remainder of the season, they should look to be active ahead of the trade deadline.
Their ceiling is certainly limited if starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is not able to stay healthy. One way to ensure that the team remains competitive even if his absence is to upgrade other areas of the roster.
Arguably the biggest need that the Raiders have is in the pass-rushing department. Maxx Crosby is a star, but the team would benefit from adding some help around him. On the season the team has 13 total sacks and Crosby is responsible for 5.5 of them and is the only player with multiple sacks on the roster.
That is something that needs to change if the Raiders are going to remain in the playoff race. They should be looking to add some talent ahead of the October 31st deadline. In the opinion of Bill Willamson of Silver and Black Pride on SB Nation, Brian Burns of the Carolina Panthers is an ideal target.
“He’s the headliner here and might be one of the best veterans who would be potentially available regardless of position. He would likely cost a high-draft pick in addition to a player. Also he is a pending free agent who wants a big deal. Do the Raiders want two big-money pass-rushers plus Wilson plus Jones’ dead money? That’s a lot of resources at one spot. He could be franchised, but then there’s the Josh Jacobs’ franchise question. Lots of variables here, but Burns is a hell of a player.”
Any team that acquires Burns should be looking at him as more than a rental as the Panthers are going to have a high asking price on him. That could be the biggest sticking point for Las Vegas as Williamson noted.
Crosby is expensive and committing that much money to one position may not be something they are willing to do. Chandler Jones’ dead cap money is exorbitant after the released him earlier this season and they did use the No. 7 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft on Tyrese Wilson.
The Raiders would probably be better off with a player that won’t command as rich of a trade package, such as Danielle Hunter of the Minnesota Vikings. Also an impending free agent, a contract for him won’t cost nearly as much for Burns, either.
