The Oakland Raiders are in a nice position heading into the draft and while they have been mentioned in DeSean Jackson trade rumors and reports involving Chris Johnson, neither player is likely to get traded to the team, while Terrelle Pryor is looking for a trade or release from the Raiders and that could come soon while the team looks at possibly adding Maurice Jones-Drew, Knowshon Moreno or Andre Brown as a free agent.
The Raiders have had a very busy offseason in free agency and they have added new players like Justin Tuck, LaMarr Woodley and Austin Howard along with Kevin Boothe and Matt Schaub while also losing players like Rashad Jennings, Mike Jenkins and Lamarr Houston. The team now is in a tough spot with quarterback Terrelle Pryor, as he has asked for a trade or his release after the team acquired Matt Schaub and now the Raiders could try to make a move with Pryor to get back some draft picks, as the team has just six heading into the draft in May.
The team gave up a pick for Schaub in the deal with the Texans and they also gave up a pick last season in the trade for Matt Flynn and that could motivate Reggie McKenzie to try and pick up another selection or two before the draft. The team has the number five pick in the draft and after trading for Schaub they likely will not be using it on a quarterback and they could go after Jadeveon Clowney or Sammy Watkins. The team has also been mentioned in rumors as a possible destination for DeSean Jackson or Chris Johnson, as both players reportedly are on the trading block this offseason.
Jackson would be a perfect receiver for the Raiders, as they love speedy guys and he is just that and he is also coming off of one of his best seasons with 82 catches for 1,332 yards and nine touchdowns. The big reason the Eagles may trade him is money since he is set to make $10.5 million this season and $30 million over the next three years and Oakland has the cap space to absorb a deal like that. The same goes for Johnson, as he is set to make $8 million and he could be a potential option after the team lost Rashad Jennings to the Giants and re-signed the oft injured Darren McFadden.
Johnson has rushed for over 1,000 yards in every season he has been in the NFL and while he had a career low 3.9 yards per carry last season, he could be a nice upgrade for the Raiders. The team has some potential moves to make with Pryor and they could get a decent pick for him after he showed flashes last season, setting a franchise record for rushing yards. The Eagles looked like an option, but they signed Mark Sanchez and now the Raiders could look for another partner. The team went 4-12 over the past two years and now McKenzie and Dennis Allen are hoping to use the draft to add another impact player to the roster.
