The Oakland Raiders have been a fairly active team in free agency this offseason despite not making any high-profile moves and after the New York Jets traded star cornerback Darrelle Revis, the team may be better positioned to make a deal on draft day in the first round.
According to ESPN.com, the Jets have traded Revis to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for their first round draft pick this season as well as a conditional pick for next year that could end up being a third rounder. The Bucs will introduce Revis at a press conference on Monday and will announce his six-year, $96 million dollar contract. The Jets felt they needed to move Revis since his money demanders were so high and now the team has two picks among the first 13 selections.
The Jets have a number of options at number nine and 13 in the first round and one thing they could do is trade up to get someone they really want, such as cornerback Dee Milliner, who many think is the top player at his position in the draft. The Jets could decide to move up to three in a trade with the Raiders, as Oakland wouldn't mind moving down and getting some extra picks to help get back some they traded away in the Matt Flynn deal. The roster for Oakland needs talent and extra picks are a way to do that.
The Buccaneers felt they needed a shutdown corner after ranking last in passing defense last season, while the Jets just simply did not want to pay Revis what he felt he deserved. Revis made the pro bowl four times while with the Jets and is considered to be the best cover corner in the league. Oakland has been looking at a number of players at three and if they decide to sit tight they could take Milliner themselves or someone like Sharrif Floyd or Dion Jordan.
The Jets also could try to take Desmond Trufant or Xavier Rhodes later if they decided to trade down and stockpile more picks while hanging onto one of the low first rounders. Another cornerback option could be DJ Hayden, who has been moving up draft boards as the event approaches on Thursday and could be a surprise pick out of Houston.
New York has been dealing with the Revis situation all offseason and after some initial interest from the Falcons, the deal was all about the Buccaneers and finally the two sides were able to pull it off. Revis passed a physical and the signed the contract, giving him the money he desired if not the security, as none of it is guaranteed. The jets are now in prime position with two picks in the top part of the draft, more than any other team.
