The Las Vegas Raiders lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night, falling to 1-2 on the young season. While Vegas could very well turn things around give the offensive weapons at their disposal, it could really go either way.
Much of the Raiders success relies on Josh McDaniels and Jimmy Garoppolo, which has to be uncomfortable for the fanbase. McDaniels made one of the dumbest pure football decisions I've ever seen on Sunday, opting to kick a field goal on fourth-and-short while down eight late in the final frame. He was universally torched for that call.
Garoppolo is a journeyman QB at this point of his career. He wins games, but that could just be a byproduct of the teams he's been lucky enough to play on. Should he struggle, then the Raiders are wasting the primes of some of the best skill-position players in the NFL. Yikes.
NFL Rumors: Could the Raiders trade Jimmy Garoppolo?
While Jimmy G is far from a top-tier quarterback in this league, he's still an upgrade for some teams. The Jets, for example, have a team built for Aaron Rodgers. Unfortunately, Rodgers got hurt, meaning they are now a team built for...Zach Wilson?
As much as Robert Saleh claims to back Wilson, it's tough to believe him, especially since the Jets refuse to let him throw the ball for more than four yards in the air. New York has talent on the outside, specifically in Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall, among others. It's not that different from what Garoppolo is used to in Vegas and previously with the San Francisco 49ers. Speaking of San Francisco, Saleh and Garoppolo have some familiarity there, as Saleh is the former Niners DC.
If the Raiders are willing to part ways with Garoppolo for a mid-round pick or two (as in sell low given his recent play), the Jets should do it.
NFL Rumors: Could the Raiders trade Josh Jacobs?
The value of running backs is at an all-time low in the NFL, but surely there is still a need, especially for teams that struggle to move the football through the air. Josh Jacobs is one of the best backs in the NFL at his best, but so far he has struggled this season in Vegas. This can likely be attributed to Jacobs showing up to camp late in hopes of a new contract, but either way, he's on the outs with the Raiders eventually.
I'm not exactly sure Jacobs could fetch better than a second or third-round selection at this point, but considering they'll probably let the former Bama back leave in the offseason anyway, that would be a worthwhile deal for the Raiders to make. There are plenty of possible contenders which could use a lead back, even if only for the season. The Baltimore Ravens, for one, lost JK Dobbins for the year, and their replacements have yet to step up.
Jacobs is a former NFL rushing champion. Based on the modern usage rates of young running backs, his prime won't last forever. Acquiring him on a short-term deal makes a lot of sense for any team truly going for it, especially as a backup plan to Jonathan Taylor.
NFL Rumors: Should the Raiders trade Davante Adams now?
In terms of players who will fetch the most in a trade return, Davante Adams wins hands down. The former Packers wide receiver has proven his all-pro talent in Las Vegas. Despite playing with Derek Carr and now Jimmy Garoppolo, Adams will put up numbers regardless of his quarterback. Heck, at points he has put up numbers in spite of his QB play.
Adams would definitely fetch at least one first-round selection back in return, if not two. He's just that good at his best, and he's fresh off one of his best performances of the season so far against the Pittsburgh Steelers. With the right team, Adams would serve as the go-to target every NFL QB desperately needs.
Aaron Rodgers former top target is the kind of wide receiver who can change a postseason performance. Heck, he's done it before. That will not happen in Vegas, even if the Raiders do slightly turn things around.