This Patriots-Raiders trade would send Stephon Gilmore to Las Vegas

Stephon Gilmore, Raiders, Patriots
NFL Analysis Network

The Las Vegas Raiders are heading into a very important season. They have improved each season under head coach Jon Gruden, but have yet to make the postseason. As they enter the fourth season with him at the helm, a playoff breakthrough needs to occur. A trade for New England Patriots star cornerback Stephon Gilmore could be something that helps that breakthrough.

A lot of pressure has been placed on Derek Carr, who people have wanted to see the Raiders move on from. But, he has not been the issue. Carr has improved every season with Gruden as head coach and with some new weapons around him, he is poised to improve once again.

What the Raiders need to reach that next level is better defensive performance. The Raiders haven’t been in the top half of the NFL in yardage when it comes to defense since 2010. They haven’t been in the top half in points allowed since 2002, which is also the last time they were top half in both.

The team signed Yannick Ngakoue to help the pass rush, but the secondary still has some question marks. Could they swing a trade for a former Defensive Player of the Year to shore up the defensive backfield?

Here is a trade that would land New England Patriots star cornerback with the Raiders this season.

The Hypothetical Trade:

Raiders Receive: Stephon Gilmore

Patriots Receive: 2022 Second-Round Pick

For the New England Patriots, this is a trade that seems to be a long time coming. Gilmore is playing out the final year of his contract but made it clear that he wants a new deal by holding out of mandatory minicamp.

Gilmore wants to be paid what he is worth, which is understandable. He is 24th among paid corners when it comes to base salary and he would like to be closer to the top five.

Getting a deal out of the Patriots will not be an easy task. They would rather see a player go one year too early than one year too late. That could be the case here, as they may be unwilling to pay him a new extension.

If that is the case, trading him for some draft capital could be the move. The Las Vegas Raiders would be an excellent landing spot for him as they need a true lockdown, No. 1 cornerback. When you have to face divisional opponents with high-octane offenses and exceptional wide receiver talents like the Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos, you need a player of Gilmore’s caliber.

Trading away a second-round pick in 2022 would be well worth the price as he would elevate their defense to a new level. Inserting him on one side of the field would take pressure off of Damon Arnette, Rasul Douglas and Trayvon Mullen behind Casey Hayward Jr.

Gilmore and Hayward Jr. would combine to be one of the better cornerback combinations in the league, turning a question mark on the roster into a legitimate strength for the team.

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