Garrett Wilson trade pitch sends $20 million star receiver to promising AFC squad

The Las Vegas Raiders still have a desperate need at wide receiver. The team lacked quality production at the position in 2024 outside of Jakobi Meyers and has yet to add another impact pass-catcher for quarterback Geno Smith this offseason.

General manager John Spytek could select a playmaker at some point in the 2025 NFL Draft, but Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox urges Las Vegas to make a splash move and trade for New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson. 

Knox believes a first-round pick in either this year or next year's draft and an additional pick should be enough for the Jets to move Wilson.

"Wilson is a legitimate difference-maker when at his best, though he's a tier below the league's elite receivers. With the Jets inching back toward rebuilding mode, they may not be eager to meet his contract demands," Knox wrote. "He would be a prime target for cap-rich, receiver-needy teams like the Las Vegas Raiders and Tennessee Titans."

Despite subpar quarterback play and a ton of drama surrounding him, Wilson continues to be a productive player. The 24-year-old posted his third straight 1,000-yard season in 2024 and also tallied a career-high 101 receptions and seven receiving touchdowns.

If New York is willing to trade Wilson, the Raiders should put together a nice package and acquire him. The former Ohio State standout would immediately step in as Las Vegas' long-term No.1 receiver and elevate Chip Kelly's offense to a whole new level.

Wilson is already one of the better receivers in football, but he has the potential to be the best in the near future. He could unlock the next level of his game by playing with a Raiders' offense that has an experienced quarterback in Smith, a savvy veteran receiver in Meyers, and an All-Pro tight end in Brock Bowers.

Though the idea of trading for Wilson sounds great, there isn't a high likelihood of a deal transpiring, at least for right now. The Jets would be foolish to move on from their young star receiver, and it's clear they want to make Wilson happy, as they just signed his college teammate, Justin Fields, to a two-year deal in free agency to be the 2025 starting quarterback.