The Oakland Raiders have numerous questions coming into training camp in 2014 and this year a trade for Andre Johnson could be in the cards over the summer and now that Brandon Flowers has been released by the Chiefs, he could be an option, while names like Dion Jordan, LaMichael James, Brandon Flowers and Mike Wallace also could be in the mix for GM Reggie McKenzie if Denarius Moore is traded before workouts begin in July.
The Raiders have some depth issues on their roster and while trades don't usually go down this late in the offseason, NFL.com put together a nice little list of some players that could be moved ahead of camps starting. The list had backup QBs in Ryan Mallett, Kirk Cousins and Christian Ponder, but the Raiders likely are not in the market for those players, although they could look at trading a backup quarterback of their own in Matt McGloin.
The Raiders have been mentioned in trade rumors with Denarius Moore, but they likely will keep him and names like Dion Jordan, LaMichael James and Brandon Flowers could be options if their asking prices are not too high. The team signed Maurice Jones-Drew in the offseason, but adding someone with speed like James could really open up the offense and he also is skilled on special teams. Jordan has been shopped by the Miami Dolphins and he could be on the trading block for GM Dennis Hickey heading into camp. Mike Wallace has also been mentioned as a potential target for the Dolphins.
The Raiders like what they have in McGloin and while they traded for Matt Schaub and drafted Derek Carr, they likely will keep McGloin until Carr can prove he is a capable backup. McGloin has shown that he can handle playing in this league and one reason teams like the Vikings, Redskins and Patriots have not traded their backups is due to having an experienced player behind their starters rather than a rookie. Jimmy Garoppolo and Teddy Bridgewater may not be ready to start or be a backup yet and that leaves their teams with options with Ponder and Mallett still on the rosters.
The Houston Texans are the main team that everyone is mentioning with trades, as they have a weird QB situation coming into the season and they also have Andre Johnson on the roster. Johnson has stayed away from team activities so far this offseason and he plans on staying away during mandatory camp. Johnson has reportedly not asked to be traded yet, but if he continues to stay away the team may not have another choice. Johnson has expressed his frustration after going 2-14 last season and he also did not sound enthused about playing for a new head coach.
The Raiders have gone 4-12 over the past two seasons and jobs are on the line this year for McKenzie and Dennis Allen. McKenzie may have a longer leash, but Allen has pressure to get things right and the team signed a number of big name free agents in the offseason as well. James Jones and Justin Tuck need to step up and Schaub needs to get back to his form from a couple years ago.
