Raiders fans mostly onboard with trade deadline strategy

Last week, at the NFL trade deadline, the Las Vegas Raiders only made one trade as they sent starting wide receiver Jakobi Meyers to the Jacksonville Jaguars for fourth and sixth-round picks in 2026.

New general manager John Spytek didn’t pull off any other trades.

There had been some chatter that centered around tight end Michael Mayer, guard Jackson Powers-Johnson, cornerback Eric Stokes and pass-rusher Malcolm Koonce. But in the end, the Raiders decided not to go in full fire-sale mode even though they were 2-6 at the deadline.

Our community members mostly agreed with the approach. Nearly 90 percent of our poll takers were pleased with the Meyer trade while a poll asking the fans were happy there was just one trade or if fans wanted more deal was split about evenly.

I think the Raiders had no choice but to trade Meyer, a pending free agent who wanted out, and I think they did well. I see both sides of the trade deadline approach.

Here are some of your responses. Sign up and go to the comments section.:

RaidazWay

It doesn’t matter if we had a fire sale and had a plethora of picks or went the other way and traded for good players that were moved at the deadline. We have a structure problem that Mark has created since he has taken over. He has not gone the right way of the hiring process. We need to hire a GM first and foremost and allow him to build the coaching staff. So in return you have different visions and power structure where there is too much conflict and rowing in different directions. This team will never be successful until this happens. Buckle up Nation because we are still 2 more failed season away before we actually have an opportunity to do this correctly.

SB72

We can understand the Jets’ strategy by trading their players for draft picks. But what is our GM’s strategy?

CorporateRaider

Raiders will have EVEN MORE holes to fill once Koonce and Stokes leave (I don’t see how either guy stays if they generate interest from other teams in free agency; Stokes should generate significant interest, but it’s not so clear with Koonce). They won’t be signing Tyree Wilson to his 5th year option either (nor should they–he’s a bust!).

That means:

1) Whether Koonce leaves or not, there will be no credible starting DE to play across from Maxx on the roster; which will require the use of a top draft pick (good DEs are mostly found in the 1st and 2nd rounds because they are a premier position) or significant money spent on a FA acquisition to get a good starting-caliber player to come to Vegas. UNLESS, Koonce magically finds his mojo for the remainder of the season and shows he’s a starting-caliber DE. However, assuming that he does bounce-back, this would create an issue in that he would then command significant interest in free agency. As a desirable player, why would he choose to remain in Vegas when he could get paid elsewhere and have a chance at winning (versus going through a serious rebuild)?

2) The CB group will remain a weak point (as it has for several years). The Raiders will basically have Porter (a very raw 3rd round draft pick), Decamerion Richardson (another raw draft pick that can’t get any playing time), and a bunch of nobodies (Kyu Blu Kelly, Darnay Holmes) who will probably be jettisoned. This will also require using either a top draft pick on a CB prospect (or two) and/or spending big money in free agency.

3) Meanwhile, the Raiders–in order to maximize Jeanty (who they are HEAVILY INVESTED in due to using a #6 overall pick on him)–will somehow also need to find a way to fix the o-line ; which is something they’ve desperately needed to do for years. Only Miller and JPJ are starting-caliber players. Glaze is decent, but has serious limitations as a starter at RT. The other guys (Parham, Meredith, Cappa) are below-average-to-garbage. So, that means at least 2 (if not 3), positions on the o-line need upgrading. With only so many draft picks and so much money to go around (remember, the CB group, the d-line, and the LB group will also need significant investment), how are the Raiders supposed to find 2-3 starting-caliber players for the o-line? Rely on Caleb Rogers and Charles Grant to “develop”? Yeah, those guys can’t even get on the field (let alone be activated for game day rosters). Finally use early round draft picks on o-line? Great! But where are they getting a top DE prospect and a top CB prospect to fill those glaring holes that I previously mentioned?

Too many years of wasted draft picks. Too many years of certain position groups left unaddressed (especially the O-line and CBs). The Raiders are in a bigger hole than many people care to admit and it’s not pretty. Hopefully, Spytek and Carroll get their heads out of their asses and realize the predicament the Raiders are actually in and start drafting accordingly.

Vila41

“When you’re trying to be a great team, it’shard to trade great players” – Howie Roseman.

Arguably the best GM in the league hit it on the head. You build around great and good players. You don’t trade them for peanuts or let them walk because they might be a little hard to handle or a little temperamental.

At least we got a decent return on Meyers. However, I have my doubts as to whether we’ll be able to draft well enough to turn those picks into players that are substantial contributors.