3-1 start could change the Raiders’ short-term plan
Going into the 2026 season, the Raiders were expected to be one of the NFL’s bottom-feeder teams and mostly likely end the season with a top 10 pick in the draft that might put them in position to make a push for Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith.
But after four games, the Raiders look like a team that’s poised to stay in the playoff hunt, and it’s starting to feel like they might be buyers at the trade deadline.
Once upon a time, Maxx Crosby and Kirk Cousins were viewed as players who might be available ahead of the trade deadline, but Crosby’s odds of being traded have dropped significantly and there’s no guarantee Cousins is going to lose his job this year.
If they are in the market for adding players ahead the November 10 trade deadline, there are a few positions they might prioritize if an opportunity becomes available.
Wide Receivers
“The Chiefs should poke around. But the other team I think should be turning over whatever rock it can to find wide receiver help is the team Kansas City barely beat on Sunday — the surprising 3-1 Raiders,” ESPN’s Dan Graziano wrote this week.
There have been rumors the Raiders might pursue a trade for Marvin Harrison Jr., but it seems like insiders around the team have been mostly throwing cold water on the idea.
There seems to be some reservations around Harrison Jr. in the Raiders’ building, but if the price is low enough, could GM John Spytek choose to roll the dice?
Jerry Jeudy, Brian Thomas Jr. and Chris Godwin have also been rumored to be potential trade candidates, so they might be names to keep an eye on, as well.
Defensive Line
Malcolm Koonce has exceeded expectations in the first four weeks of the season, but Koonce is playing a part-time role in Rob Leonard’s defense and will be a free agent after the 2026 season.
Koonce has primarily been on the field in passing situations this year, and someone who would slip into the defensive line rotation perfectly with him would be Khalil Mack.
Mack is 35 years-old but still has some juice.
Unfortunately, the Chargers wouldn’t be the easiest trade partner, and Mack’s contract is worth a little more than $18 million this year – so he’s not cheap.
Mack is a long shot to be back in Silver & Black, but it’s okay to dream.
After Brian Burns’ season-ending injury, Kayvon Thibodeaux was projected to take on a larger role in New York, but through four games, he has tallied just one quarterback hurry. The former No. 5 overall pick from Oregon had an impressive 11.5 sacks in 2023 but has recorded only eight sacks since.
Trade speculation around Thibodeaux has been going on for a while. It’s unclear whether the Giants would consider trading him for a late-round pick, but it would make sense if the Giants aren’t looking to re-sign him.
And last but not least…
Could the Cardinals be looking to move on from Josh Sweat?
Sweat has been at the center of trade rumors for a while now. He is only one year removed from a 12-sack season, and at 29 years-old, Sweat is the same age as Crosby.
Sweat has two more years remaining on his contract after the 2026 season, so any team interested in Sweat would be signing up for a longer-term commitment.
Where else could the Raiders consider adding players?
Another running back in the mix wouldn’t be the worst idea if Ashton Jeanty is going to continue having trouble getting healthy, but the two obvious areas of need on the Raiders’ roster are wide receiver and defensive line.
On a side note, it’s fair to say Kirk Cousins’ trade value has skyrocketed in the last few weeks.
Trading Cousins is probably the farthest thing from John Spytek’s mind right now, but he might be worth a mid-round pick to a contending team desperate for a quarterback in a few weeks.
As it stands now, though, the Raiders are a contending team desperate for a quarterback, and they have Cousins already on the roster.