The Las Vegas Raiders made another splash early Tuesday morning, as Ian Rapoport from the NFL Network announced that they were in the process of swinging a big trade with the New England Patriots. That trade would be for right tackle Trent Brown, who played in half the games he was eligible for over the past two seasons and had a roller coaster of a 2020 campaign.
With the Raiders trying to get their salary cap number in order, Brown was seen as expendable, despite the fact he is one of the best tackles in the game when healthy. He battled weight issues, COVID-19, an IV that nearly killed him, and injuries last season, and never really seemed happy to be in the Silver and Black.
Now, the Raiders have a lot of work to do along the offensive line, as they have traded or released sixty percent of their starters from a year ago. Here are three first-round options at pick No. 17 for the Las Vegas Raiders to replace Trent Brown.
Raiders could target Rashawn Slater, Northwestern
First on the list is Rashawn Slater from Northwestern, a player that many feel will be the second offensive tackle off the board after Penei Sewell goes in the top-10. Slater has everything you look for in an NFL offensive tackle, started right away on the right side for the Wildcats as a true freshman, and did not allow a sack in 2019.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Slater decided to sit out the 2020 college football season and prepare for the NFL Draft. He could be gone by the time the Raiders pick at No. 17 overall, but if he is available, he is a perfect choice to replace Brown and had the talent to start right away as a rookie.