Why the Raiders Are Better Off Staying Pat at the NFL Trade Deadline

The Las Vegas Raiders face an important decision ahead of the NFL Trade Deadline, but making a major move may not be the right answer for a team still building towards long-term success. Despite sitting at 4-5 and remaining mathematically in the playoff race, the Raiders have several weaknesses that cannot necessarily be fixed through one trade.

Head coach Klint Kubiak believes his team has the potential to compete with strong opponents, but Sunday’s 38-17 defeat against the San Francisco 49ers exposed the difference between being competitive and having the talent required to consistently win against the NFL’s best teams.

With the trade deadline approaching on November 10 at 4 p.m. ET, Las Vegas must decide whether to strengthen its roster, trade players for future draft capital or continue with its existing group. Considering the team’s current position, staying pat could be the most sensible approach.

Raiders’ Loss to 49ers Exposes Major Problems

The Raiders suffered a disappointing 38-17 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday afternoon at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The defeat highlighted several problems, particularly the team’s inability to protect the football and maintain consistency against a strong opponent.

Las Vegas committed five turnovers on six second-half possessions, making it extremely difficult to remain competitive. The mistakes demonstrated how quickly a game can get away from a team when it struggles to execute under pressure.

Kubiak acknowledged that the Raiders have the ability to compete but need greater resilience when facing high-quality opposition. He also expressed disappointment with the way his team performed against San Francisco.

“I really like our team,” Kubiak said. “I don’t like losing games like this. We’ve got to have a lot more resilience when you’re playing a really good team like we played today. When you start that slow, you don’t put yourself in a good position, but I’m proud to coach the guys that we’re coaching.”

The loss was another reminder that Las Vegas still has considerable work to do before it can be considered a serious contender.

Why the Raiders Should Avoid a Major Trade

The Raiders entered the season hoping to become more competitive after investing heavily in free agency. Their 3-0 start and .500 record through the first eight weeks represented progress compared with recent seasons.

However, the organisation is still in the early stages of building a new team. Las Vegas has a first-time head coach, a first-time offensive coordinator and a first-time defensive coordinator. No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza is also in the developmental phase, while running back Ashton Jeanty is still in the second year of his career.

The secondary is another area where the team is relying heavily on young players, including safety Treydan Stukes and cornerbacks Hezekiah Masses and Jermod McCoy.

These circumstances suggest that the Raiders need time to develop their players and establish consistency across the coaching staff. Adding an expensive veteran through a major trade might improve one position, but it would not immediately solve the team’s broader problems.

Las Vegas also has limited players it could realistically trade to acquire meaningful draft capital. Maxx Crosby is not expected to be available, and the star defensive end has made clear that he wants to remain with the organisation for a long time.

For those reasons, the Raiders may benefit more from protecting their future assets than making an aggressive move at the deadline.

Raiders Still Have a Chance to Reach the Playoffs

Although the Raiders are not yet ready to compete with the league’s elite teams, their position in the standings means the season is not over. At 4-5, they remain mathematically in the playoff hunt and could make a push if they perform well over the remaining schedule.

There is a possibility that Las Vegas could build momentum before its Week 13 bye. If the team manages to win five or more games before that break, it could give itself an opportunity to remain in contention during the final stretch.

The schedule offers some favourable opportunities. Three of the Raiders’ final five games are scheduled to take place at home, including matchups against the winless Los Angeles Chargers and the Tennessee Titans, who are listed at 1-7 in the supplied standings.

Las Vegas will also finish the regular season on the road against the Kansas City Chiefs. Depending on their playoff position, the Chiefs could potentially rest some starters in that game to prepare for the postseason.

These matchups give the Raiders a reason to keep fighting rather than shift their entire focus towards the future before the season is finished.

Brian Thomas Jr. and Josh Downs Could Strengthen the Offence

Despite the argument for staying pat, there are clear reasons why the Raiders could consider adding talent before the deadline. Wide receiver and interior defensive line are two positions where the team needs significant improvement.

Two potential targets mentioned in the trade discussion are Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. and Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs.

Brian Thomas Jr.

Thomas made an immediate impression during his rookie season, recording 1,282 receiving yards in 2024. His production and potential made him an exciting young receiver, but his role has diminished since that impressive campaign.

His recent numbers highlight the decline. Thomas has recorded only one reception for 12 yards on seven targets across his previous four games.

For Las Vegas, adding a receiver with his experience and previous production could provide another option in the passing game. However, the Raiders would need to consider whether the potential improvement justifies the cost of acquiring him.

Josh Downs

Downs is another receiver who could attract interest from teams looking to improve their offensive options. The Indianapolis Colts wide receiver is in the final season of his rookie contract and has recently requested a trade.

His availability could make him an interesting option for the Raiders, particularly because the team needs more reliable production at wide receiver.

Las Vegas has already drafted three wide receivers over the past two years: Jack Bech, Dont’e Thornton Jr. and Malik Benson. However, none has established himself as the solution the team needs so far.

Adding an experienced young receiver could help the offence, but it would also mean using resources on a roster that still has several other areas requiring attention.

Interior Defensive Line Remains a Major Concern

The Raiders’ defensive line also needs attention, particularly in the interior. Their performance against the 49ers exposed how vulnerable the defence can become when opponents establish a strong running game.

San Francisco recorded 190 rushing yards in Sunday’s victory. More concerningly, it was the fifth time in six weeks that Las Vegas had allowed an opponent to rush for at least 150 yards.

That repeated weakness suggests the problem is not limited to one bad performance. The Raiders need better execution and greater strength in the trenches if they want to stop opposing running attacks consistently.

Acquiring an interior defensive lineman could provide an immediate improvement. However, the team must weigh that potential benefit against the draft capital or other assets it would have to surrender.

With several weaknesses across the roster, focusing on one position at the deadline may not be enough to change the team’s overall outlook.

Could Kirk Cousins Become a Trade Candidate?

Outside of Maxx Crosby, quarterback Kirk Cousins is considered one of the Raiders’ more valuable potential trade assets. His experience could attract teams looking for a veteran quarterback, particularly organisations needing help at the position during the season.

The Minnesota Vikings are among the teams that could potentially benefit from adding an experienced quarterback. However, according to league sources cited by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Raiders have not received calls about Cousins and have no intention of trading him.

The expectation is that Cousins will remain in Las Vegas beyond the deadline and continue starting until the organisation believes Fernando Mendoza is ready to take over.

Cousins’ performance against San Francisco included three interceptions in the second half, but his future with the organisation remains a separate decision. He has also expressed his appreciation for being in Las Vegas and said he feels good about what the team is building.

When asked about possible decisions regarding his future, Cousins acknowledged that those choices are outside his control.

Keeping Cousins could provide stability while Mendoza continues his development. Moving him would potentially create another question at quarterback during a season in which the organisation is already managing several changes.

Jackson Powers-Johnson Could Be a Trade Option

With Crosby and Cousins seemingly unavailable, the Raiders have a limited number of players who could attract interest from other teams. Right guard Jackson Powers-Johnson is one possible candidate.

Powers-Johnson was selected in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft and was once viewed as a potential starter on the interior offensive line. However, his position has changed following the emergence of Caleb Rogers and rookie Trey Zuhn III.

Zuhn started at right guard for the second consecutive week against the 49ers. When he left Sunday’s game with a concussion, Rogers stepped in and finished the contest at the position.

As a result, Powers-Johnson has fallen to third on the right guard depth chart. A move back to centre also appears difficult while Tyler Linderbaum occupies that position.

For another team needing help at guard or centre, Powers-Johnson could represent an interesting trade opportunity. His previous draft status and experience could make him a useful option for a club looking for interior offensive line depth.

However, the Raiders would need to decide whether trading a young offensive lineman makes sense while they are still trying to build a stronger roster for the future.

Maxx Crosby Wants to Stay With the Raiders

Maxx Crosby remains the most significant name when discussing potential Raiders trade candidates, but there is little indication that Las Vegas intends to move its star defensive end.

Crosby has expressed his desire to remain with the organisation for a long time. His importance to the team makes a trade difficult to justify, especially when the Raiders are trying to establish a long-term foundation.

Following the defeat against San Francisco, Crosby also insisted that the team should continue believing in its ability to compete.

“We’re right in the mix,” Crosby said. “…We had a tough loss, but when we’re at our best, we can beat anybody. We know it’s going to be a tough challenge. We have a lot of football left.

“…We’re going to keep believing and keep fighting.”

His comments reflect the attitude the Raiders want to maintain during the remainder of the season. Despite the disappointing result, the team has not abandoned its competitive ambitions.

Raiders Must Focus on Long-Term Development

Las Vegas has lost 15 consecutive games against opponents that are five games above .500, the longest active streak of its kind in the NFL. That statistic underlines the difficulty the Raiders have faced when competing against the league’s strongest teams.

Sunday’s defeat was painful, but it also reinforced the importance of the organisation’s rebuilding process. The Raiders are in a better position than they were a season ago, yet their development was never expected to happen overnight.

The team still needs to develop its young players, improve its offensive consistency and strengthen its defence. It must also give its coaching staff time to establish a system and determine which players can become part of its long-term plans.

Making a major trade simply because the deadline is approaching could create more problems than it solves. A short-term improvement at wide receiver or defensive line might help the team compete in the remaining games, but it would not necessarily close the gap between Las Vegas and the NFL’s top contenders.

Head coach Klint Kubiak and general manager John Spytek will continue evaluating possible opportunities, but the Raiders appear better positioned to maintain their current roster rather than make a deal without a clear long-term benefit.

Final Verdict: Staying Pat Could Be the Smartest Move

The Raiders have reasons to consider making a trade, especially with clear needs at wide receiver and interior defensive line. Brian Thomas Jr. and Josh Downs could improve the receiving group, while additional help in the trenches could address the team’s struggles against the run.

However, Las Vegas is still developing a young roster under a new coaching staff. The organisation also has limited tradeable assets, with Crosby expected to stay and Cousins not currently available according to the team’s reported position.

With a favourable stretch of games still ahead, the Raiders can continue pursuing their playoff opportunity without sacrificing important future resources. Their 4-5 record keeps the season alive, but the bigger objective should be building a team capable of competing consistently in the coming years.

Rather than chasing a quick fix at the NFL trade deadline, the Raiders may be better off trusting their current players, developing their young talent and staying committed to their long-term vision.