Reasons Las Vegas Raiders should be 2022 trade deadline buyers, not sellers

HENDERSON, NEVADA - JULY 27: General manager Dave Ziegler (L) and owner and managing general partner Mark Davis of the Las Vegas Raiders look on during the team's first fully padded practice during training camp at the Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters/Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center on July 27, 2022 in Henderson, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
HENDERSON, NEVADA - JULY 27: General manager Dave Ziegler (L) and owner and managing general partner Mark Davis of the Las Vegas Raiders look on during the team's first fully padded practice during training camp at the Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters/Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center on July 27, 2022 in Henderson, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 21: Quarterback Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders throws a pass during the NFL game against the New Orleans Saints at Allegiant Stadium on September 21, 2020, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Raiders defeated the Saints 34-24. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 21: Quarterback Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders throws a pass during the NFL game against the New Orleans Saints at Allegiant Stadium on September 21, 2020, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Raiders defeated the Saints 34-24. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Reasons Las Vegas Raiders should be 2022 trade deadline buyers, not sellers

A playoff spot is within reach

The biggest reason you’d think the Raiders would be buyers right now is the playoff race. In the offseason, the AFC West was hailed as the toughest division. However, that hasn’t been the case. Coming off the heels of a crucial win in Week 7, the Raiders are still very much alive and also find themselves moving up the power rankings to boot.

You could certainly argue that the Kansas City Chiefs will win the division. Their recent trade for Kadarius Toney also fortifies their position. On the other hand, the fight for second place is heating up. The Denver Broncos are dead in the water with four losses in a row, and there are rumblings that head coach Nathanial Hackett could be left in London after Sunday.

The race between the Raiders and Chargers will decide who the second team to make the playoffs from the West will be. As it stands, the Chargers are getting demolished by injuries. Key players on both sides of the ball are dropping left and right. Oppositely, the Raiders have gotten healthier at the right time. Darren Waller is on track to return this Sunday, and while the team is missing Nate Hobbs, he could return in time for the playoff hunt.

There’s defensive help available; fans know the names. Let’s see if Ziegler and Co. are serious about winning this year, not in 2023, but right now.

Next. Las Vegas Raiders: Top-5 Running Backs in team history. dark