Las Vegas Raiders: 5 bold predictions for the 2020 offseason

3. The Raiders trade up in the first round of the NFL Draft

The Raiders, as the order stands today, own the 12th and 19th picks in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, that will be held in the Raiders’ new home of Las Vegas. The 12th pick being their own, and the 19th coming from the Chicago Bears as the second first round pick in the Khalil Mack trade.

The Raiders, also, own three other picks in the third round of the NFL Draft, giving them five total picks in the first 91 selections. What this means, is that the Raiders can be extremely flexible in the draft. Conceivably, the Raiders could move up in the first round, while also holding on to their second first-round selection.

The Raiders have needs that line up perfectly with this draft pool. Las Vegas lacks a number-one wide receiver threat, as well as an elite linebacker. The latter being an issue for, what seems like, since the Raiders employed Kirk Morrison.

With Jerry Jeudy, CeeDee Lamb, Isaiah Simmons, etc. the Raiders could be in a position where they have the opportunity to trade up for a franchise-changing player.

If presented with this very opportunity, it would not be surprising to see Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock make an aggressive move.

The Raiders need to assess the risk-reward potential if, say, the eighth or ninth pick comes around and Simmons, specifically, is still on the board. If Simmons is gone and a run on receivers begins, the Raiders may need to look to trade up for Jeudy or Lamb. Regardless of the player that it could possibly be for, the Raiders have the assets to move up the draft board come April 23rd.