It has been quite some time since the Las Vegas Raiders have been buyers at the trade deadline. Over the last few years, they've had talent to ship off and no hope for the playoffs, so they've been sellers. But Klint Kubiak's team is hanging somewhere in the middle during the 2026 NFL season.
What that means is that no big moves will likely be made. John Spytek loves his draft picks anyway, so if anything, the 3-4 Raiders would be sellers. But with a rousing win against the New York Jets on Sunday, Las Vegas could convince itself that it is just a piece or two away from making the playoffs.
Obviously, with no crystal ball in hand, let's be prepared for both scenarios. The Silver and Black have several trade candidates on the roster, at varying levels of likelihood that they'll be dealt, and they also have a few positions that could be bolstered if they're willing to part with a draft pick or two.
Raiders have several trade candidates if season continues to unravel
Tier 1: The obvious trade chips
Maxx Crosby
Duh.
Crosby hasn't enjoyed his best season, but he'll always be a trade candidate until Las Vegas is firmly in the playoff picture. It seems unlikely that Crosby would fetch two first-round picks again, especially with all that has happened between March and now, but teams do get desperate at the deadline.
If an offer is on the table for two 1s, or even a 1 and a 2, I would take that if I'm the Raiders, depending on what the team looks like in Sunday's game. Jeffery Simmons was dealt for two firsts and a fourth, but he's an all-world defensive tackle. He's the same age as Crosby but plays a less premier position.
While that doesn't directly impact Las Vegas, if I were Spytek, I'd use it as leverage in negotiations. And I am taking note of that package because it shows just how much teams may be willing to overextend in the name of competing for a Super Bowl or keeping pace with their division foes.
Jackson Powers-Johnson
Powers-Johnson was replaced by Caleb Rogers, and now it feels like Trey Zuhn III is the next man up at right guard. Keeping Powers-Johnson as a backup doesn't really make sense, and he may want a change of scenery at this point anyway. The relationship here has clearly run its course.
Because Powers-Johnson isn't that far removed from being a heralded prospect, and because he has position versatility and another 1.5 years of team control on his contract, there could be a market for him. If the Raiders can get a mid-Day 3 pick or a late-round pick swap for JPJ, they might go for it.
Kirk Cousins
With Fernando Mendoza in the building, Cousins has always been expendable. This is especially true if the team's losing streak continues and Kubiak can't figure out a way to help Cousins beat the game plan that is currently shutting him down and being replicated by every team Las Vegas faces.
There are no obvious quarterback-needy teams right now, at least not any that would be interested in buying at the deadline. But things can change at the drop of a hat, and if the Raiders get any offers for the veteran, it would be a no-brainer to get some compensation and start the Mendoza era a bit early.
Tier 2: If you can get something for them
Aidan O'Connell
O'Connell hasn't seen the field since the preseason, and with no teams in need of quarterbacks right now, it stands to reason that he won't have much of a market. But if anyone wants AOC as a backup or insurance for their iffy starter, then Las Vegas needs to sprint the offer over to the league office.
He'll be a free agent next year, and it seems like O'Connell wants a chance to start. That won't be with the Raiders. So, even if it's a Day 3 pick, the Silver and Black should at least get something for the 28-year-old signal-caller before he inevitably walks and does not net them a compensatory pick.
Isaiah Pola-Mao
Pola-Mao has been a core special teamer this year, but a handful of other players in the building could fit that role. Given Pola-Mao's experience as a starter, a number of teams could be looking for a cheap depth addition or a low-level starter to fill in for an injured player.
Seeing as Pola-Mao has no role on defense in Las Vegas, and given the fact that he will be a free agent next year, the Raiders would be wise to take what they can get if an offer comes along. One team that immediately jumps out is the Pittsburgh Steelers, with our old buddy Patrick Graham at DC.
Tier 3: Only if the right offer comes along
Tre Tucker
I hate to even bring this up as a possibility, but it is a bit peculiar that Las Vegas has not extended Tucker yet. He is in the midst of a career year and seems to be getting better with each passing week, but the Raiders have not shown him the money. Tucker will be a free agent next spring.
Already with so few options in the wide receiver room, losing Tucker would be brutal this season. But if a team is willing to part with a late Day 2 pick for him, Spytek and Co. would have to consider it and probably take it for the betterment of the future. Let's hope it doesn't get there, though.
Jeremy Chinn
Chinn is also in a contract year and has not been extended, despite playing every snap for the Raiders' defense this season. If Las Vegas wants to give some young players a shot in the secondary, it could dish Chinn to a contender that wants some fortification on the back half of the defense.
Although Chinn probably wouldn't garner enough capital in a potential trade for a deal to even be worth a swing.
Las Vegas could still buy at trade deadline if Raiders claw back to .500
Wide receiver
Justin Jefferson
Haha. This is a fun one and a ridiculous long shot.
But if Jefferson continues to be upset with the Vikings' QB situation, and Minnesota wants a godfather offer for him, he's the one player I would be cool with the Raiders selling the farm for. He's an undeniable talent who is still young, has his deal in place, and has worked with Kubiak/Cousins.
Jauan Jennings
If a Vikings receiver gets dealt, it'll most likely be Jennings. He, too, has experience working with Kubiak, and while he's not close to a No. 1 like Jefferson is, he could be a nice temporary piece in the wideout room for Las Vegas if it wants to bolster its playoff chances in 2026.
Josh Downs
Downs' body type and skill set may be a bit redundant with Tucker and Jalen Nailor, but he primarily operates out of the slot and is a great separator. That is what the Raiders need more than anything. And he's made it known that he wants out of Indianapolis, so the Colts surely have a bevy of suitors.
Brian Thomas Jr.
If I'm certain about one player getting dealt at the deadline, it's BTJ. He has clearly fallen out of favor in Jacksonville, and if the Jaguars are smart, they deal him sooner rather than later and use those picks to bolster an offer for another star to buy at the deadline. Thomas Jr. is worth a third or fourth.
Jerry Jeudy
Brian Stark obviously knows Jeudy from his days in Denver, but maybe that's why the Raiders would stay away. The Browns are also good and don't seem to be keen on selling him, even though other young receivers have emerged. But Jeudy would be a solid piece, if nothing special, at a good price.
Defensive tackle
Daron Payne
Payne is an older player who doesn't really fit the timeline, but he could be worth a late-round pick if the Raiders want to compete this year. His pass-rush juice has fallen by the wayside, but Payne can still stop the run and move around the defensive front, and that is what Las Vegas really needs.
A'Shawn Robinson
Maybe Jason Licht does his old friend Spytek a solid and sends him a good veteran defensive tackle for relatively cheap amid the Bucs' disastrous season. He would be dirt cheap, and Robinson is a great run defender who can play the nose, which would fill two big voids for the Raiders.
Grover Stewart
If the Colts are selling everyone, Stewart is another older defensive tackle who can play in the A gap and provide some serious run-stopping ability for Las Vegas. Indianapolis isn't charging a king's ransom for any of their players, so maybe Las Vegas could get him for little to no cost.
Defensive end
Yaya Diaby
Spytek was part of the front office that drafted Diaby in Tampa Bay, and the Bucs can't afford to pay everyone. Diaby could be a long-term piece for the Raiders up front, especially if they move off Crosby at the deadline. Buying and selling like that may not make sense, but it's an option.
Khalil Mack
This would be a fun reunion, but Mack probably wants to go to a contender at this point. Still, Las Vegas needs help on the edge with getting after the passer, and Mack still has pass-rush chops at his old age. For a late-round pick, maybe the Raiders could pry him from a division rival. Probably not.
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