Jon Gruden is one of the more difficult coaches to predict, but as the NFL offseason prepares to heat up, there is at least one safe bet in the weeks ahead: one way or another, Gruden and the Raiders will be adding an impact wide receiver.
Antonio Brown has been the name most commonly linked to the Raiders, but according to CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora, Odell Beckham Jr. may very well be another wide receiver the Raiders will go after.
“A trade is certainly not out of the question,” La Canfora reported on Wednesday. “In fact, sources have pointed to the 49ers and Raiders as the most likely strong suitors [for Beckham] should this situation escalate.”
Of course, any trade is speculation at this point, and there are a couple things to consider before presuming the Raiders would be interested in Beckham. Since the Raiders have three first-round picks, they are the team that Beckham’s agent would want to create buzz about as a potential trade suitor. If opposing teams are convinced the Raiders are interested, those teams can presume it will take a strong offer to beat out the Raiders to get Beckham. That isn’t to suggest La Canfora’s report is wrong, but at the very least, his report was predictable.
As for Beckham’s availability, it does seem that the Giants would like to find a trade partner for him. And if they don’t, they would probably be wise to shut down the rumors much sooner than later – something they really haven’t done with any enthusiasm to this point. Odell can create enough drama on his own, he certainly doesn’t need any help from his employer.
In January, this is where Raider fans stood on a trade for either Brown or Beckham Jr.
POLL: If it could happen, which WR would you rather the #Raiders trade for?
— Raiders Beat (@RaidersBeat) January 2, 2019
And the exact same poll two months later…
POLL: If it could happen, which WR would you rather the #Raiders trade for?
— Raiders Beat (@RaidersBeat) March 1, 2019
twitter: @raidersbeat