Are the Raiders back in the trade market for Yannick Ngakoue?
According to NFL insider Michael Lombardi, the Jaguars are close to trading Ngakoue either “today or tomorrow” and we know the Raiders have some level of interest.
The Raiders had been in conversations with the Jaguars for Ngakoue before the draft and according to SiriusXM NFL’s Adam Caplan those talks started up again prior to training camp. So assuming Caplan has good information, it sounds like the Raiders might be willing to invest heavily in adding another pass rusher. Not only would Ngakoue cost a premium pick, but he will also command a hefty contract – likely in the ballpark of $15-20 million per year.
Considering the 2021 draft could be more of a challenge (with so many college teams canceling their season), it might not be a bad idea to invest a pick in a player like Ngakoue, who is still just 25 years old.
According to Lombardi, the Jaguars are believed to have a second-round offer on the table for Ngakoue. At a cost like that, the question becomes whether or not it makes more sense to pay the same money to free agent DE Jadeveon Clowney and keep the draft pick.
Either way, it sounds like the Raiders are wanting to add a premium pass rusher before the season. Considering the offensive machine the Chiefs have built, what better way to compete with them than to take down their quarterback… and take him down hard.
twitter: @raidersbeat
