Things didn’t go as planned for the Las Vegas Raiders during the 2022 season. Their defense struggled mightily, which led to many presuming that is where they would put their efforts toward addressing this offseason. However, most of their biggest moves have been on offense.
Las Vegas has revamped multiple key components on that side of the ball. Jimmy Garoppolo is replacing Derek Carr as the starting quarterback. Jakobi Meyers was signed in free agency and will help replace the production of Mack Hollins, who signed with the Atlanta Falcons. Tight end Darren Waller was traded to the New York Giants.
General manager Dave Ziegler and head coach Josh McDaniels are big on culture fits and wanted to shake things up, bringing in people they are more familiar with. Attempting to re-create the New England Patriots is a strategy many people have used but to virtually no success.
The revamping of the offense may not be finished, either. With Meyers in the fold, there isn’t a huge need for wide receiver Hunter Renfrow, who also does his work from the slot. Bringing in a player who can succeed on the boundary would be a good idea for the Raiders.
Who could that player be? How about checking in with the Arizona Cardinals and inquiring about DeAndre Hopkins? Adding Hopkins would certainly help Zielger and McDaniels shake the Patriots-West label while also providing a massive upgrade to their offense.
Hopkins, when healthy and able to stay on the field, is one of the best wide receivers in the NFL. Pairing him with Davante Adams would give them one of the best duos in the league for Garoppolo to work with. With Josh Jacobs back for at least one more season to lead the backfield, the Raiders would have the making of a dominant offense.
What could a trade between the Raiders and Cardinals look like? A suggested trade package would be Las Vegas trading the No. 70 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and a 2024 fourth-round pick to Arizona in exchange for Hopkins.
However, adding a player with a contract as large as Hopkins’ is tough to fit on the salary cap. Another option could be looking to shed some salary in the deal. The Raiders could include Renfrow in the deal and to incentivize the Cardinals, upgrade the draft capital. In addition to the No. 70 pick, Las Vegas can include the third-round pick they received from the Giants in exchange for Waller.
Arizona is in a reset year, so getting as much draft capital to restock the roster with under a new regime makes sense. Renfrow is a steady veteran as well one season removed from breaking the 1,000-yard plateau, providing Kyler Murray with a sure-handed option in the slot.
The Raiders would have the makings of one of the best offenses in the NFL with Hopkins in the mix. He and Adams would be a truly dominant duo matched by few if any, teams around the league. Doubling teaming either one would prove difficult, especially when Jacobs can be leaned on to carry the offense on the ground.
