The Raiders are in need of an outside receiver this offseason. That is not up for debate. They need someone who can stretch the defense and keep teams from loading up the box to stop the run. But how they go about finding that receiver is a bit of a question mark.
The expectation is that the Raiders will use the No. 22 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft to find their next big-play receiver. But considering how far back they select in this year’s class, it might not be possible for them to get a field stretcher that late in Round 1.
But what about using the No. 22 pick to acquire a proven receiver via a trade? In a recent article by Michael Shawn-Dugar of The Athletic, he believes that the Seahawks would consider trading Pro Bowl receiver D.K. Metcalf for a Round 1 pick. Here are his thoughts on that possibility below:
“The only realistic option is receiver DK Metcalf, whose contract expires after the 2022 season. Since entering the league as a second-round pick in 2019, Metcalf among receivers ranks fifth in receiving touchdowns (29), 10th in receiving yards (3,170) and 17th in receptions (216). He doesn’t turn 25 until December.
Seattle would have no problem finding someone willing to give up a first-round pick — perhaps an early one — for the right to acquire Metcalf and sign him to an extension that pays him like one of the best players at his position (about $22 million per year).”
The Raiders certainly have the cap space to acquire someone like Metcalf and they would have no problem giving him an extension. With Metcalf on the roster, their offense would have all the pieces to compete with teams like the Chargers and the Chiefs.
The Raiders would still have all of their picks on Day 2 and Day 3 to improve the offensive line and their depth on defense, but they would now have a legitimate deep threat who could scare teams down the field. If the price is only a single first-round pick for Metcalf, the Raiders would be foolish not to explore a potential trade.
