The Las Vegas Raiders could be in the market for a quarterback this draft season, but should they trade for a former first-rounder in Trey Lance?
This offseason, the Las Vegas Raiders franchise made the decision to part ways with veteran quarterback, Derek Carr. The move away from Carr signaled a new era of Raiders football, as Carr had been the starter for the team from his rookie season in 2014, through the 2022 campaign.
After bringing in Jimmy Garoppolo in free agency, as well as another former New England Patriots signal-caller in Brian Hoyer to provide depth, it is clear that Josh McDaniels is adding quarterbacks he is comfortable with. Despite the additions, there are reasons to believe the Raiders could be in on a quarterback in the draft, whether or not that pick comes on Day 1.
Back in 2021, the San Francisco 49ers made Trey Lance the No. 3 overall pick, selecting the strong-armed quarterback from North Dakota State. However, since then, Lance has battled injuries and inconsistent play, and apparently, has fallen out of favor with the organization.
Recently, Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports went on the You Pod to Win the Game podcast, and stated Lance could be had this offseason, even for a Day 2 pick.
Should the Raiders consider trading for Trey Lance?
Why it makes sense
The only second-round pick the Raiders have in 2023 is pick No. 38 overall, a selection in which we recently had the team picking Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker with in our latest 7-round Raiders mock draft. Lance was a much bigger prospect coming out of college than Hooker is, and based on his skill set, should be a franchise quarterback at the NFL level.
The issue in San Francisco is that when he was injured, as well as current Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, Mr. Irrelevant came in and looked every bit the part. Brock Purdy has cemented himself as the QB1 in San Francisco, at least to start camp this summer, leaving Lance to possibly be a former No. 3 overall pick holding the clipboard.
In Las Vegas, Lance could reunite with Garoppolo, a player known for helping younger players along, and sit behind him to continue to learn the NFL game. Lance is still only 22 years old, and if he is fully healthy next season, there is reason to believe that he could grow at the position, and possibly take Jimmy G's role in a year or two.
Garoppolo is an excellent mentor, and someone Lance is familiar with, so Las Vegas would be an perfect landing spot for him in a trade. For the Raiders, it would give them a potential future franchise guy at the position once he is ready.
Should the Raiders trade for Trey Lance?
Why it does not make sense
Pick No. 38 overall is nothing to turn your nose up about, as it is elite draft capital, and the Raiders need to use it on a player that can help them right away. After a terrible six-win season in his debut with the Silver and Black, Josh McDaniels goes into 2023 on a short leash, no matter what the organization may be saying.
That selection has to be used on a defensive player that can help them right away, or even an offensive lineman that can come in and start at one of the guard spots in 2023. Trading it away with net the Raiders a talent like Lance, but it would also mean that they would pick at No. 7 overall, and then not again until pick No. 70.
The truth is, while Lance is obviously a talented quarterback in terms of his physical gifts, he has yet to prove he can play the position at the next level with any kind of consistency. Yes, a second-round pick seems a bit cheap for a potential long-term option at the most important position in sports, but until Lance proves he can be that, Las Vegas should stick to what they have, and used a Day 3 pick on a quarterback this April.