With Yannick Ngakoue in Minnesota, Will the Raiders Make a Move For Jadeveon Clowney?

The Raiders had been rumored to be in the mix to trade for Yannick Ngakoue, but on Sunday morning that ended with an ESPN report that the Jaguars were sending Ngakoue to the Vikings for a second-round pick and a conditional fifth-round pick.

That means if the Raiders are still thinking about making a big move for a defensive lineman, it’s going to have to be Jadeveon Clowney.

The good news is that if they are still interested, Clowney wouldn’t require a trade. He is seeking more money per year than Ngakoue (who apparently is taking a reduced salary of around $13 million to play for Minnesota), but with bonus money and a few critiques to other contracts (Derek Carr?) the Raiders could easily find a way to fit Clowney under the salary cap.

Apart from a report almost two months ago stating that Jon Gruden “really wants” Clowney, not much else has linked the former first-overall pick to the Raiders. But if Gruden really does want Clowney, don’t rule out the idea until he signs somewhere else.

After all, if winning the AFC West is the goal (and the Super Bowl after that), why not assemble the best possible roster money can buy?

With Clowney’s versatility he would offer depth anywhere along the defensive line if the injury bug comes at some point in the season. Also, he’s as talented as any defensive lineman on the Raiders roster.

So why not see what he can do with defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli?

And if it doesn’t work out… at least you went down swinging, right?

twitter: @raidersbeat