Top Dawg: Why The Raiders Should Trade Up For UGA Standout

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The Las Vegas Raiders could turn their defensive line from above-average to elite with an aggressive trade-up.

The Raiders made the right choice trading top draft selections for Davante Adams. Anytime you get an opportunity to get the league’s best receiver you make that trade, even if it means sitting out the first two rounds of the 2022 NFL Draft. In the words of Super Bowl-winning, Rams general manager Les Snead, “F*** them Picks.” That’s especially true for the Raiders, who have a new coach and new schemes but want to build around continuity at quarterback. Go out and get your passer’s favorite receiver from college.  Jordan Davis, the standout defensive tackle from Georgia could be there, provided Vegas trades up.

Surviving And Thriving

At the very least, it gives Carr no excuses. The Raiders can finally give their QB the number-one weapon he’s lacked since Amari Cooper or move on from him. They made the playoffs without a true top target so the ceiling only raises for the Raiders with Adams. It does not matter what else the division did. The Raiders added a lead receiver, made up for the Henry Ruggs tragedy, and hopefully erased all the ghosts of receivers past. Javon Walker, Michael Crabtree, Antonio Brown, Amari Cooper, and Randy Moss are just some of the lead receivers whose time in Silver and Black ended prematurely. 

Cold Fact

One-third of the league will sit out the first round of the draft. There are eleven picks being made by a team other than the one that initially owned the draft pick. That means there are extra opportunities to move around in the upcoming NFL Draft. Are the Raiders done making moves with their draft picks? 

Continuity > Excuses 

The Raiders solved long-term situations for Carr, Adams, and Maxx Crosby. They still need to figure out what they’re going to do for Hunter Renfrow and Darren Waller long-term. Oh yeah, don’t forget Josh Jacobs is a free agent after this year. Carr’s $20 million and Adams’ $8 million cap hit is a lot of money to give to a duo that didn’t win much in college. That means the Raiders still need to address key positions around their new dynamic duo. The interior offensive line and tackles were all over the place. The defense was mid on the best days and could still use some upgrades. 

Patiently Aggressive

With the trade market booming and the world getting ever inflated, don’t expect the Raiders to sit back for the two first rounds of the draft because they got Adams. What can the Raiders offer before they officially go on the clock for the eighty-sixth? 

Draft Capital

Beyond their future draft picks the Raiders can also leverage young players like Johnathan Abram, Trayvon Mullen, or Clelin Ferrell. Mullen probably holds the most value but he and Abram have both had injuries. Trading either secondary player saves the Raiders over $2 million in cap. Trading Ferrell nets the Raiders nearly $5 million in cap savings. Ferrell might have more value to us as a third pass rusher than whatever mid-route pick they can recoup for him.

Last Shot To Impress

Nonetheless, all three of those players probably get one more season under the new regime. If they develop right, they could finally reach all their potential. Head coach Josh McDaniels has gone on record saying those guys get a fresh start. This is probably also part of the reason why Brandon Parker was re-signed for one year. Otherwise, the Raiders could make a more unforeseen move by trading Denzelle Good or Denzel Perryman. Vegas traded for Perryman at the beginning of last year and he went on to a Pro Bowl. The issue is, Perryman is more of a traditional 4-3 linebacker. The Raiders already brought in Jayon Brown and are high on Divine Deablo. They could be one good offer away from trading Perryman which would also net them $3 million in cap space. 

Realistic Trade Offers

Good is more of a scheme fit with his versatility to play guard or tackle. However, he is coming off an injury. The Raiders could also shed all of his $3 million salary by trading him for a later pick. A draft pick along with Perryman and/or Mullen might get rid of some extra depth while also getting the Raiders back into the first two rounds. 

Target In Their Sights

There are plenty of impact players who could help the Raiders from the draft. Either top corner probably starts for the Raiders right now. Plenty of offensive linemen in the first two rounds are upgrades over what the Raiders have now. It also wouldn’t be bad to add another pass rusher or receiver at the right spot. However, there is only one player really worth leveraging in the future. Jordan Davis is one of the prospects you point to as one of a kind. 

Athletic But Massive Reach?

Three hundred and forty-pound men who run sub-five-second 40-yard dashes are rare. Davis did that at this year’s combine after playing his best seasons on one of college football’s best teams. He played less than 50 percent of Georgia’s snaps but looked dominant. His athletic profile ranks him in the top-90th percentile as far as athletes at nose tackle. Davis’ size and closing speed will improve the team’s entire defense. He can eat two or three blocks in the run and toss aside guards and interior lineman in pass pro. Davis probably would have been the best player available if he was there at twenty-two when the Raiders held the pick. He might have even been worth a trade up into the top half of the draft. 

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Beef Up Front 

The Las Vegas Raiders no longer hold a glaring need at nose tackle. Johnathan Hankins has been serviceable but it was surprising to see them bring him back. Hankins battled injuries last season and he would also change schemes and line coaches staying with the Raiders anyways. Either way, some competition for the vet won’t be bad. That’s why the Raiders signed Vernon Butler, along with Bilal Nichols. The Raiders added some size and beef even after adding Kyle Peko and Andrew Billings to a refreshed defensive line. 

Historical Precedent

Still, it will be hard for the Raiders to not move up to get Davis if he’s available at the end of the first round. The Giants were built around Dexter Lawrence with Patrick Graham as their defensive coordinator. Think about the success the Pats had with Vince Wilfork. Remember why the Buccaneers won the Super Bowl and beat the Chiefs? Vita Vea and Ndomukung Suh were too big and fast of a combo upfront. Tennessee found success building around Jeffrey Simmons, who only fell to them coming off an injury. Don’t forget Casey Hampton anchored the Steelers after they took him in the first. Ted Washington and Sam Adams made names for themselves a long time in the league after first-round selections. 

Area of Great Need

Three-four defenses also need big nose tackles and the Raiders would be smart to add an elite one if they want to incorporate more odd fronts. Adding Davis instantly upgrades the Raiders’ run defense. If he can develop a more detailed pass rush plan and stamina, it could also free up Chandler Jones and Maxx Crosby for more one-on-one situations in the pass rush too.  

Mixed Bag At NT

Like any first-round pick, taking a nose tackle is a gamble. Drafting a player as big and fast as Davis doesn’t always work. Players like the 2015 12th selection Danny Shelton immediately come to mind. The jury is still out on Javon Kinlaw. However, even successful noses sometimes fall off fast. Ask Star Lotulelei, Dontari Poe, or Marcell Dareus how fast the bottom can fall out as a first-round nose tackle. The Raiders need to figure out how much better Davis is than other nose tackles in this draft. If they do like him that much more than every other player, they should not be afraid to trade up to get him. He could be long gone by the time the Raiders pick. Later round noses are even bigger variables like Terrance Cody, Louis Nix went in the late rounds. D.J. Reader went in the fifth round. Vikings and Bills legend Pat Williams was undrafted as did Damion Snacks Harrison. 

Unknown Variables

Nose tackles are always tough to predict, especially with this draft’s depth. People are not high on the quarterback class which means many could go or not in the first. The receiver position is stacked in all rounds, again creating both supply and demand for the right fit. There are also lots of athletes on both the offensive and defensive lines. It’s hard to predict what the Raiders will do given what they did in free agency. They moved on from overpaid and underperforming players like Cory Littleton, Carl Nassib, and Nick Kwiatkowski.

The Revolving Door

They let performing veterans like Zay Jones, Casey Hayward, or Solomon Thomas walk based on what the open market offered them. They traded Yannick Ngokoue after one great year amid injuries, for a mid-round draft selection and a starting corner. Don’t forget the Raiders have invested several high selections in the receiver and corner positions over the years. When’s the last time they took a nose tackle in the first round? 

From Athens To Vegas

Davis along with Nichols, Hankins, Peko, Billings, and Butler gives the Raiders a defensive line big, long, and athletic enough for odd and even fronts. Add Chandler Jones, Clelin Ferrell, and Maxx Crosby speed on the edge and you have a great defensive line rotation. Drafting Davis will not be possible without moving up via future picks and maybe even a player or two. He might be the obvious pick. Davis might be a reach. He might not be the flashy pick or score many touchdowns. But if everything aligns, the Raiders would be lucky to land Davis. He would anchor their defense, make everyone else better and address an immediate need.