News Now: The Las Vegas Raiders Appear To Have Reached The End Of An Era With Trevon Moehrig-Woodard…….Read More…
On paper, the Las Vegas Raiders appear poised to make some noise in the AFC West in 2024.
Las Vegas showed promise late last season and notched wins over all three divisional opponents. Earlier this offseason, the Raiders added instant-impact pieces like defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, quarterback Gardner Minshew and rookie tight end Brock Bowers.
There’s still time for Las Vegas to add another piece or two before training camp opens on July 21. With $34.1 million in cap space remaining, the Raiders can consider both the free-agent and trade markets.
If the Raiders choose to execute a late swap, however, they’ll need to create an attractive trade package. Draft picks are always valuable, and Las Vegas has all seven of its 2025 selections.
Players could enter the equation too, though, and with this in mind, let’s examine three trade candidates on the Raiders’ roster who could be moved and why.
Realistically, the Raiders would much rather extend defensive end Malcolm Koonce than trade him. The 26-year-old emerged as a strong complement to star pass-rusher Maxx Crosby this past season and deserves to have a future with the franchise.
The Raiders certainly aren’t offering up Crosby in a trade, and Koonce is entering the final year of his rookie deal. Without an extension or the franchise tag, there’s a chance Las Vegas will lose him in 2025 free agency anyway. If moving him now could help strengthen another position of need, the Raiders would have to at least consider it.
And while losing Koonce would be a detriment to the defense, it could also help open up opportunities for 2023 first-round pick Tyree Wilson. Wilson didn’t have a massive impact as a rookie, but he did record 3.5 sacks and 11 quarterback pressures while playing just 44 percent of the defensive snaps
