A fresh trade proposition entails the Raiders acquiring a record-breaking quarterback in exchange for conditional draft picks.
The Las Vegas Raiders may find their next potential young franchise quarterback without resorting to the NFL Draft. Given that the top quarterback prospects are likely to be off the board by the time the Raiders pick at No. 13 in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, General Manager Tom Telesco may need to explore alternative options.
One such option could involve reaching out to the Chicago Bears regarding Justin Fields. The Bears hold the No. 1 overall pick and are poised to select the best quarterback prospect available. However, the Bears also have the opportunity to choose between Caleb Williams and Drake Maye. CBS Sports has proposed a trade scenario in which Justin Fields and a sixth-round pick are sent to the Raiders. In exchange, the Bears would receive the No. 77 overall pick (a third-round pick), a 2025 third-round pick that could become a second-round pick if Fields plays 75% of the snaps, and potentially a first-round pick if the Raiders make the playoffs in 2025.
This trade proposition presents the Raiders with a relatively low-risk opportunity, as they would only be risking two third-round picks if Fields does not meet expectations. The potential requirement of a first-round pick would only come into play if the Raiders make the playoffs in 2024, which means the pick would likely be later in the first round.
However, it's worth considering the contract situation with Justin Fields. He currently has a fifth-year option on his rookie contract, which the team must decide whether to pick up during this offseason. The projected value of Fields' fifth-year option is $21.9 million, fully guaranteed. This financial commitment raises concerns, especially if Fields doesn't prove to be the ideal fit for the team. In contrast, drafting a quarterback in the NFL Draft would provide the Raiders with at least three years before needing to address contract extensions or options.
Fields possesses strong rushing abilities, holding the record for the most rushing yards in a game by a quarterback with 178 yards during the 2022 season. However, he faces challenges as a passer and has not thrown for more than 2,600 yards in a single season. Opting for a rookie quarterback would offer the Raiders more time to develop their quarterback situation and determine if Fields can indeed be their franchise quarterback.
In addition to quarterback considerations, if the Raiders choose not to select a quarterback in the first round, they have other positional needs to address. One potential area to focus on is cornerback, with Missouri cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. projected as a possible selection for the Raiders at No. 13. Rakestraw is praised for his tenacity and technical skills, making him a promising candidate to bolster the Raiders' defense as a boundary cornerback.
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25 JANVIER | 1 ANSWERS A fresh trade proposition entails the Raiders acquiring a record-breaking quarterback in exchange for conditional draft picks. Should the bears trade the first pick? | ||
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