While NFL teams, including the Las Vegas Raiders, prepare for training camp, the Silver and Black are being associated with names that seem illogical. Two wide receivers, one with his best days behind him and another significantly overpaid, are among those names.
The state of the wide receiver corps is in an intriguing spot for the Raiders. For one, there’s an unbelievable amount of potential at the moment. After Jakobi Meyers, there’s not a lot of experience, but what they do have is a mix of speed, size, explosiveness, and a couple of matchup nightmares. On top of that, while technically not wide receivers, the Raiders possess Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer as a potentially lethal tight end duo.
So with that being said, the question shifts to whether that’s enough. Does general manager John Spytek allow this position group to compete in camp and observe how the pieces align? The practical approach would be to add another veteran piece to spice things up–create more competition. We all know head coach Pete Carroll isn’t opposed to that.
However, the players mentioned online as potential fits for Sin City don’t seem to align well with the team’s needs. Sincere conversation reveals that they are illogical.
Amari Cooper to the Raiders? Hard pass…
First, we have Amari Cooper. The same Cooper that couldn’t smile as a member of the Raiders from 2015 to 2018 even if you paid him. Then-head coach Jon Gruden unceremoniously shipped Cooper off, but he went on to further success. With three Pro Bowls already under his belt on his way out, Cooper delivered for the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns thereafter. In the end, he achieved the status of a five-time Pro Bowler. Statistically speaking, Cooper recorded 1,100-plus receiving yards in 2022 and 2023 for the Browns.
In 2024, there was a noticeable decline in performance for the former fourth overall pick. Nevertheless, CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin mentioned that a return of Cooper to the Raiders could be logical, given their past connections.
“Cooper knows the franchise well, beginning his career with the Raiders and briefly working alongside current quarterbacks coach Greg Olson,” Benjamin wrote. “If they’re serious about competing immediately under new head man Pete Carroll, it makes sense they’d use some of their excess salary cap space on a pass target.”
If we are discussing the most intelligent way to utilize your available cap space, wouldn’t the Raiders be better off pursuing a cornerback right now?
Why would Las Vegas trade for Brandon Aiyuk?
The Brandon Aiyuk saga engulfed the San Francisco 49ers not so long ago. Just one year into his deal, Sports Illustrated’s Grant Cohn brought up the discussion of whether the Niners regret forking out all that money. So, if that’s the case, why would the Raiders trade for who’s arguably the “most overpaid wide receiver”?
According to the NFL Analysis Network’s John Porter, he believes the Raiders make sense for Aiyuk. “Looking at the Raiders’ WR depth chart, they could use an influx of proven talent, and Aiyuk represents the best of those likely available out there,” Porter writes. “It would almost be a no-brainer for the Raiders if he were available.”
The logistics involving this potential move would rule out the Raiders if we’re being practical. General manager John Spytek would not part with his coveted draft picks for a receiver who tore his ACL and MCL in 2024. Additionally, Spytek utilized this past draft to strengthen the wide receiver position for future seasons.
The internet will offer some good ideas at times for the Raiders—this isn’t one of those times.
