The Oakland Raiders are coming into the 2014 season with a number of major questions at quarterback and a trade could be coming in the future for the team, as Darrelle Revis, Chris Johnson, Kirk Cousins and Ryan Mallett could be potential targets, while Terrelle Pryor and Matt McGloin could be used as trading chips this offseason and into the draft.
The Raiders are projected to have about $60 million in cap space coming into this offseason and with a number of important free agents, Reggie McKenzie and Dennis Allen are poised to retain their priority players like Lamarr Houston and Jared Veldheer. Apart from those names, the team also wants to keep as much of the offensive line intact as they can and McKenzie knows that the running back position will be a major focus, as both Darren McFadden and Rashad Jennings are free agents.
According to ESPN.com, Revis has been mentioned in trade rumors involving the Buccaneers, as a shutdown corner is not a priority in the defense for Lovie Smith and with a $16 million salary coming in 2014, the Bucs could look to move him. Smith and new general manager Jason Licht were not with the team when Revis was acquired from the Jets and they did not give him that crazy contract, meaning they are not tied to him personally and with the team possibly taking a QB in the draft as well for the same reasons, Revis could be on his way out of town.
The Denver Broncos and the New England Patriots have been mentioned as two of the destinations for Revis, but another option could be the Raiders, as they have enough cap space to snag him and not get that hurt by it. Adding a contract of that size could be an issue in the long run, but the Raiders had a tough time defending the pass last season despite signing Tracy Porter and Mike Jenkins last offseason and drafting DJ Hayden, as they ranked 28th in the league and gave up 255 yards per game.
Adding Revis could help that, but the team may focus more on the draft to fill back the cornerback position. McFadden and Jennings are both free agents and Chris Johnson could be another avenue to explore if the Titans don't cut him, as he has made comments once again about his contract and could be on his way out of town. McFadden is likely gone after all his injury issues and with the cap space for McKenzie, a deal could be an option. The same goes for McGloin and Pryor along with Cousins, as the Redskins said earlier in the offseason that Cousins could be had for a draft pick if it's the right price.
The Raiders have a number of ways they can attack free agency and the draft this season and while the trades may be a good start, McKenzie and Allen could look to free agents on the market instead of pulling those off. McFadden will get some attention on the market and he could end up back with the Raiders for the right price, but McKenzie will not go above and beyond for a player that has missed nearly half of the last 41 games for Oakland.