The Oakland Raiders are in need of some wide receiver support behind Denarius Moore and a Josh Gordon trade from the Cleveland Browns, Jimmy Graham deal with the Saints or a deal for Andre Johnson from the Houston Texans could be options for the team as they push towards training camp, as Matt Schaub needs more weapons in the offense if the team wants to make the playoffs out of the AFC West.
The Raiders went just 4-12 last season and while they have made a number of important free agent signings like James Jones and Maurice Jones-Drew that will help the offense, Dennis Allen may need more support. According to ESPN.com, Gordon was arrested for DUI this past week and this comes as he is potentially getting suspended for a full season for a failed drug test. The Browns are not making any moves right now regarding Gordon, but Pat McManamon writes that a trade or release could be possible if Gordon continues making mistakes.
The Raiders likely won't make a major move like that this late in the offseason, but it's something that could be an option as the summer wears on. Andre Johnson has remained away from the Houston Texans this offseason and he could be another target if he opts to not attend training camp. Johnson is coming off of a very productive season with over 100 catches for 1400 yards and five touchdowns and he is frustrated after the Texans went just 2-14. While a 4-12 team is not the best upgrade, Johnson could be willing to get dealt to reunite with his old QB in Schaub, who he put up great numbers with over the past few years in Houston.
The Raiders have the cap space to make a move and they also have enough future draft picks to give up to get it done, but the team may not want to mortgage the future for right now. Dennis Allen and Reggie McKenzie have been working to get this franchise out of the hole they are in and after two years of ridding bad contracts and players, they finally are ready to improve. The team has had the same record in each of the past two seasons and jobs could be on the line for the GM and the head coach if there is not a significant change this year.
Last year the team traded for Matt Flynn and that did not work out, as they ended up using Terrelle Pryor and Matt McGloin at quarterback. Pryor is now gone and Schaub is the starter ahead of rookie Derek Carr and after signing James Jones to join Denarius Moore, the team is hoping second year pro Brice Butler can step up along with Rod Streater.
Gordon has the potential to be one of the best players in the NFL, but all that could be derailed now due to his issues off the field. Last season Gordon missed two games stemming from a suspension and still ended up leading the league in receiving yards. He set a mark with back to back 200-yard games and ended up with career highs of 87 catches for 1,646 yards and nine touchdowns and now the Browns have some major decisions to make regarding his future.