As the November 10 trade deadline approaches, the Las Vegas Raiders must decide how aggressively to address their in-season roster needs. They also have notable players generating buzz as trade candidates.
With a 4-4 team, John Spytek should factor in Sunday's performance. If the Raiders don't compete against the San Francisco 49ers, who are without wide receivers Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel Sr. and are suiting up a banged-up Christian McCaffrey, the front office should be more conservative.
On the flip side, an upset win would improve Las Vegas' playoff chances, especially with a favorable December-January stretch against the Los Angeles Chargers, Tennessee Titans, and Arizona Cardinals after the team's Week 13 bye. And that may encourage them to work the phone lines.
Raiders will likely keep locker room leadership intact and address needs with low-cost trade additions
Raiders retain team leaders, Maxx Crosby and Kirk Cousins
Don't expect Spytek to deconstruct the team's leadership midway through the season. As Klint Kubiak said when he shut down discussion of a quarterback controversy, the Raiders are still "in the hunt."
Typically, teams in the thick of playoff races keep their top players, and some add talent to support them.
Even if Cousins has a rough outing on Sunday, it's unlikely to dramatically change Kubiak's mind on the quarterback situation. The 38-year-old signal-caller is on pace to throw for about 40 touchdowns and over 4,500 yards.
As for Maxx Crosby, unless a team is willing to meet Spytek's demand of two first-round picks, as the Baltimore Ravens did before backing out of the offseason deal, he'll likely remain with the club as well.
Crosby has recorded 29 quarterback pressures, nine more than fellow edge-rushers Kwity Paye and Malcolm Koonce have combined through eight games. He's too valuable to a competitive team that wouldn't field much of a pass rush without him.
Raiders acquire Eagles DT Moro Ojomo
Regardless of the Raiders' season outlook, they must bolster their run defense. Las Vegas is giving up a league-worst 5.1 yards per carry and has allowed 103 or more rushing yards in every game but the season opener.
Surprisingly, Spytek didn't address the defensive tackle position early in this year's draft; he waited until the seventh round to draft Brandon Cleveland. The Raiders signed Foley Fatukasi after their first preseason game, but he hasn't done much to shore up the defensive front against ball carriers.
Spytek must invest more in a run-stopper. While he's unlikely to pursue a costly player like Vita Vea, who signed a one-year, $30 million extension with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this past offseason, he could inquire about Moro Ojomo.
The Philadelphia Eagles selected Ojomo in the seventh round of the 2023 draft. So, he's in the final year of a modest rookie deal. The Raiders can acquire him at a low cost and develop the 6-foot-2, 292-pounder into a building block on the interior of the defensive line.
In 2025, Ojomo recorded 38 tackles (six for loss), six sacks and 21 pressures. He can be effective on all three downs, changing the complexion of the Raiders' defensive front. Yet at only 25, the fourth-year pro has room to grow.
So, Spytek may be open to signing him to an extension next offseason if he makes an immediate impact following a trade. The Raiders have ties to the Eagles' front office, too, and Philly could be in sell mode as their season continues to unravel.
John Spytek bargain-bin shops for wide receiver help
Brian Thomas Jr. and Josh Downs are the most noteworthy wide receivers potentially available on the trade market.
This season, Thomas has lost his starting role with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Surprisingly, after a 2024 rookie Pro Bowl year and a solid 2025 campaign, he's an afterthought in the team's offense, logging one 12-yard touchdown reception over his last four outings.
Downs has requested a trade, per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. The Indianapolis Colts want a third-round pick for him, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
While those names are enticing for the Raiders, who need receiver help, it would be a shocker if Spytek were willing to give up early-round draft picks for either, given the expected demand for receivers at the deadline.
If the Raiders trade for a receiver, it'll probably be a less coveted player who won't cost them premium draft capital. Think about veterans like Darnell Mooney, who's Kirk Cousins' former Atlanta Falcons teammate, Dontayvion Wicks and Jerry Jeudy.
Raiders retain Jackson Powers-Johnson, move him to left guard
When the Raiders benched Jackson Powers-Johnson for Caleb Rogers at right guard, it seemed the former would land on the trade block.
However, Powers-Johnson could find a new home at left guard, where he played most of his snaps in his rookie season. You can make a strong case that the 2024 second-rounder performed far better on the left side than on the right over the last two years.
According to Pro Football Focus, Powers-Johnson allowed 15 pressures, including just one sack, over 327 pass-blocking snaps at left guard in 2024. Last year, he gave up 10 pressures, including two sacks, over 210 pass-blocking snaps at right guard.
This season, Kubiak benched Powers-Johnson after he allowed nine pressures over 150 pass-blocking snaps.
This week, Powers-Johnson has taken snaps at left guard, indicating that he could start over Spencer Burford, who has struggled in pass protection. If so, the versatile interior offensive lineman may finish out the season with the Silver and Black.
Safety Isaiah Pola-Mao will be traded or released
After starting in 17 games last season, Isaiah Pola-Mao has reverted to a special teamer, playing just 115 defensive snaps in eight games, almost all of which came when Treydan Stukes was injured.
The Raiders would likely take anything in a trade for Pola-Mao, and his roster spot may not be secure unless they see him as an irreplaceable special teams asset. He has an expiring contract, too. So Las Vegas is likely to part ways with the fifth-year veteran now or let him walk in free agency next offseason.
Moe Moton writes about the Raiders for Just Blog Baby. You can follow him on Twitter at @MoeMoton.
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