Raiders Could Trade For DE Expected contract for $143 million.
The Las Vegas Raiders improved their defensive line by signing defensive tackle Christian Wilkins in free agency. He will now form an outstanding duo alongside defensive end Maxx Crosby.
However, the Raiders might go even further in upgrading their defensive line. According to Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox, Las Vegas is one of the strongest options as a prospective trade partner for Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Josh Allen.
“The Las Vegas Raiders, who have $25.5 million in cap space, could also be interested,” Knox said in a March 27 essay.
“Partnering Allen with Pro Bowler Maxx Crosby, Malcolm Koonce and 2023 first-round pick Tyree Wilson could give Las Vegas the pass-rushing power needed to contend with Herbert and Patrick Mahomes in the AFC West.”
Allen is currently on the franchise tag and is seeking a long-term contract. Knox anticipates signing a five-year contract worth $143 million. That would be a high price, given that the Raiders are paying Wilkins $110 million and Crosby $94 million. In this scenario, Las Vegas would have spent almost $300 million only on the defensive line. The team does not pay a high salary for a quarterback, thus they have some financial freedom. Allen would be a luxury acquisition, but developing an unstoppable pass rush could be the only way.
Las Vegas Raiders Don’t Need More DL Help
If the Raiders were to spend heavily on another defensive lineman, it would most likely be for another defensive tackle. Josh Allen would be an improvement over the present roster, but that misses the potential of certain young players.
Malcolm Koonce emerged as a standout pass rusher past season, finishing with 8.0 sacks. Tyree Wilson, the seventh overall pick in 2023, is also an option. He did not have a successful debut season, but he is young and has a lot of potential. Trading for a player like Allen would imply that Wilson either has to move inside a lot more or that the Raiders have given up on him.
Allen has 17.5 sacks last season and is only 26. He has a great career ahead of him, but the Raiders don’t need a defensive end, especially for $143 million.
Antonio Pierce Protecting the Las Vegas Raiders Culture
Going ahead, the Raiders will be selective about who they add to the roster under Antonio Pierce. The coach is attempting to establish a specific culture and wants to ensure that the squad only recruits players who fit that culture.
“Yeah, I’m the guardian at the gate,” Pierce stated during his March 25 media availability. “I will not allow any evil to enter that building. Because it is essential, man, like what we can do at the conclusion of the season and what we are doing now.”
Pierce was able to establish a strong player-friendly culture in his brief tenure as interim head coach last season. Now that he has a full-time job, he will be even more rigid about how he handles situations. It is critical for a player-led squad to have mature players who will work hard even when no one is looking. It would only take a few rotten eggs to ruin everything.
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