After a 2–6 start and road games against the Miami Dolphins and Cincinnati Bengals, two desperate AFC rivals, in Weeks 9 and 10, the Las Vegas Raiders aren’t exactly bursting with potential. Before the NFL trade deadline next week, the silver and black do have one thing that many teams still desire: a talented wide receiver in Jakobi Meyers who may be available through trade. On Wednesday, October 30, Doug Farrar of Athlon called Meyers a major trade candidate. Another option he had was to look at the Pittsburgh Steelers, but it also included a transaction with the Houston Texans and their lately decimated receiving group.
Pittsburgh has been in search of a wideout to pair with George Pickens since the summer, striking out on Brandon Aiyuk and Davante Adams before an injury to Christian Kirk last week removed him from the Steelers’ list of options as well.
Meyers has never been a star, though he could certainly prove a capable second option to Pickens in the version of the Steelers offense that features Russell Wilson under center. And while Wilson is serving as QB1, there is little need for Justin Fields to waste his time on the Pittsburgh bench, which could open up the opportunity of the Raiders acquiring Fields in return for Meyers and another asset(s).
In 2024, Fields is 4-2 as a starter and has 10 total touchdowns against just 1 interception. He lost his position to Wilson after Wilson recovered from a calf issue, but if he had been in most other quarterback situations in the league, he probably wouldn’t have been benched. Fields is a potential free agency option for the Raiders if they don’t choose a quarterback in the first round next April, according to Bradley Locker of Pro Football Focus. Las Vegas needs a spark under centre.
Neither Aidan O’Connell nor Gardner Minshew ranks above 42nd in PFF passing grade among quarterbacks this year. In other words, there’s no long-term answer at quarterback on this roster,” Locker wrote on Oct. 30. “Las Vegas could opt to sign a cheaper free agent – like Sam Darnold or Justin Fields – but it feels like it’s time to rip the bandage off and draft a marquee, dynamic young gunslinger.”
In addition to using its top overall pick to choose the quarterback of the future, Las Vegas could sign Fields to a one-year contract similar to the $10 million Darnold received with the Minnesota Vikings this offseason, securing a legitimate starter with something to prove next season. Given the difference in the significance of the two players’ respective roles, Meyers won’t be sufficient to deal for Fields outright. In terms of the draft capital the Raiders would have to give up as part of the transaction, though, adding Meyers would enable them to greatly reduce Fields’ cost.
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