Trades the Las Vegas Raiders should have made at the 2022 trade deadline
For many years it has appeared that William Jackson could become a Raider. When entering the NFL Draft out of Houston in 2017, it was rumored that the Raiders were interested. Instead, they would go with Karl Joseph. Then, as a free agent in 2021, Las Vegas presented itself as a worthwhile option. However, he would sign with Washington instead.
Signed to a three-year deal, Jackson had a solid 2021 season when he recorded two interceptions and eight passes defended across twelve starts for the Commanders. With a respectable PFF grade of 59.3, he entered 2022 as a starter as well.
Alas, things would not go as planned for the defensive back. After being benched in week five, Jackson would request a trade out of Washington.
On the day of Tuesday’s deadline, it was rumored that if the Commanders could not find a suitor via trade for Jackson that he would be outright released. Instead, the Steelers swooped in and offered a sixth-round selection to secure his services.
While the Raiders are certainly not a team looking to compete at this point, a player like Jackson helps them out down the road as well. With another year remaining on his contract after this season, he could have been a big addition to a team that badly needs cornerback help.
Despite this, the Raiders still have a cornerback group consisting of Rock Ya-Sin and Anthony Averett. Both would be better suited as bench options behind Jackson but Las Vegas will have to look elsewhere when the off-season comes around.