When Las Vegas Raiders fans think about potential trade chips on their team, surely, their minds go straight to superstar defensive end Maxx Crosby. And rightfully so, as every team in the NFL could use a player like him, and he was, in fact, traded earlier this offseason. At least for a few days, he was.
Several fringe roster players may have value to other teams, too, and the Raiders would be motivated to move them. We've talked all offseason about the trade viability of Aidan O'Connell, and even that of veterans like Jordan Meredith, who have a solid pedigree but no longer serve a purpose in Las Vegas.
However, the Silver and Black have two trade chips slowly emerging in both Malcolm Koonce and Isaiah Pola-Mao. It may sound crazy to even bring up the idea of trading either one, since the former was just re-signed and is a key rotational piece, and the latter may start on opening day.
And while it's still unlikely that John Spytek would dish either one of these players, it's not impossible, nor is it as far-fetched as fans may initially think.
Could the Raiders trade Isaiah Pola-Mao before roster cutdowns?
Pola-Mao has become a bit expendable, as rookie Treydan Stukes is clearly emerging as the starter at free safety. And even if the team was planning to trot out the incumbent Pola-Mao for the first week or two, they could easily fast track the Stukes era if another team needs some safety help.
While Pola-Mao isn't some high-end starter in this league, he's certainly enjoyed success before, and in the right system that uses him properly, he could thrive. Las Vegas wouldn't get much for him, but a late-rounder or a swap like last year's Thomas Booker-Jakorian Bennett deal could be worthwhile.
Here's the crux of why the Raiders may be interested in a deal: they would save $3.23 million against the cap by trading Pola-Mao. That may not sound like a lot, but that's roughly what recently-waived wide receiver Cedric Tillman would cost if Spytek wanted to take a gamble on him.
With Stukes on his tail, Tristin McCollum looking solid, Dalton Johnson emerging as a rookie and Taron Johnson prepared to play some safety as well, Pola-Mao isn't necessarily a must-roster player. And with only a year left on his current deal, now would be the time to strike on a trade.
Again, it's not super likely. But does it sound impossible?
Could the Raiders trade Malcolm Koonce ahead of the 53-man deadline?
Koonce, from a pure on-field ability standpoint, may be less likely to get traded than Pola-Mao. The 2021 third-rounder has been re-signed by Spytek in two consecutive offseasons, and he figures to be the No. 3 edge rusher in the rotation behind Maxx Crosby and Kwity Paye.
But if we're being honest, Koonce had a quiet training camp and hasn't flashed in the preseason thus far. Third-round rookie Keyron Crawford won't get cut, and both veteran Patrick Johnson and UDFA Cian Slone are making an airtight case to be on the 53-man roster. It'll be hard to part with either.
Trading Koonce would open up $4.86 million in salary cap space for Las Vegas, and that is a decent chunk of change. Eating over $5 million wouldn't be preferable, but Koonce could probably fetch a fifth-round pick in a deal, and with him only under contract this year, that's a consideration.
Now, trading Koonce may be a bit ill-advised, as he's clearly a top-three edge rusher on this team. Spytek and the coaching staff would have to feel really confident about the trio of Crawford, Johnson and Slone, or have their sights set on another player at the position on the waiver wire or via trade.
It's not completely out of the question, though, that the Silver and Black look to save a bit of change and invest more in players who have a higher likelihood of being around for longer. Koonce is a very good player who could help out this year, but roster-building is an art, and that's not all that matters.
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