Heading into Week 8, the Raiders currently have the No. 31 scoring defense in the NFL. They are allowing 32 points per game and aren’t creating enough sacks or turnovers and it is costing them games. However, there are a number of quality defenders available at the trade deadline.
In a recent article by Brad Gagnon of Bleacher Report, he named several defenders the Raiders should try to acquire in the upcoming days to improve their defense. Here is what he had to say about the team’s goal before the trade deadline:
“The focus, though, should probably be on the secondary. They’ve got plenty of talent and experience in the front seven, but they could benefit from upgrades at cornerback, safety and—to a lesser extent—linebacker and on the edge.
They have a little bit of cap space, so there’s little reason not to inquire about Stephon Gilmore, Bradley Roby, Logan Ryan, Isaiah Oliver, Mike Hughes, A.J. Bouye, Harrison Smith, Avery Williamson, Myles Jack, Ryan Kerrigan, Trent Murphy, Takk McKinley and even J.J. Watt.”
While the Raiders likely won’t land any big-name players like Stephon Gilmore or J.J. Watt, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them add a veteran defensive back or two before the deadline. The team is in a position to compete for a playoff spot this season and with Derek Carr playing the best football of his career, you never know what could happen late in the season.
Look for the Raiders to be active at the trade deadline this season as they search for defensive help.
