Blockbuster Trade Proposal Has Raiders Swap Jakobi Meyers for All-Pro WR

It was a long time coming, but star wide receiver Terry McLaurin has requested a trade from the Washington Commanders. He has been seeking a new contract for some time, but the team has not obliged.

McLaurin is coming off an 82-catch, 1,096-yard season. He was named Second-Team All-Pro for his efforts. He’s one of the top wide receivers in the NFL and wants to be paid like it, but the Commanders seem apprehensive about it.

The Las Vegas Raiders are a team that still has a need for a No. 1 wide receiver. Jakobi Meyers is very good, but he’s better-suited to be a No. 2. If the team wants to upgrade at wide receiver, they should consider calling Washington.

Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton pitched a trade that sees the Raiders trade Meyers and a 2026 second-round pick for McLaurin.

“If the Raiders are willing to give Meyers a new deal, why not offer him, along with a second-round pick, for a more accomplished receiver who’s only a year older?” Moton wrote.

“The Raiders can build the passing attack around All-Pro tight end Brock Bowers and McLaurin for the foreseeable future, while they develop Bech and Thornton in complementary roles.”

Is McLaurin an Upgrade Over Meyers?

The price for this trade seems a bit high. Meyers could likely net the Raiders a second or third-round pick in a trade, so essentially trading two Day 2 draft picks for a wide receiver who needs a big contract seems like a lot.

Plus, is McLaurin that much of an upgrade over Meyers? Moton seems to think so.

“Last year, Meyers proved that he can be a go-to target in a passing attack after Davante Adams requested a trade from Las Vegas,” Moton wrote. “The seventh-year wideout went on to record career highs in catches (87) and receiving yards (1,027). Commanders quarterback Jayen Daniels can depend on Meyers as his most reliable target.

“From the Raiders’ perspective, McLaurin would be an upgrade over Meyers. McLaurin has racked up 1,000-plus receiving yards in five consecutive terms, while Meyers has only one such season in his career.”

Meyers had more catches than McLaurin last season and just 69 fewer receiving yards. Plus, he’ll be much cheaper. It doesn’t make much sense for the Raiders to give up a second-round pick to get a slight upgrade at wide receiver.

Raiders Hoping to Extend Meyers

Even if the Raiders eventually trade him, they would be wise to give Meyers a contract extension. A big year with Geno Smith at quarterback would only make him more expensive.

They won’t be able to get him on the $11 million annual salary they have him on now, but they may be able to keep him under $20 million a year. That’d be a good deal for a player like Meyers.

The Raiders are very young at wide receiver and aren’t paying any of them big money. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, Las Vegas is talking to Meyers’ camp about a possible extension. It would be a great move for the team to get that done before the season.