We know the Raiders were looking for Jadeveon Clowney.
Likewise, Jon Gruden and the gang apparently had some sort of conversation with the Jaguars about the trade to Yannick Ngakoue during the draft era.
But is either Star Pass Rusher still in the mix to join the Raiders?
Let’s start with Ngakoue.
A radio host recently suggested that the Raiders Trade a first-round pick for Jacksonville and add the Pro Bowl pestle. One of the reasons this won’t happen is that the Jaguars seem to be struggling to get a second round pick for Ngakoue.
Any team that theoretically trades for Ngakoue would not only lose a premium pick, but they’ll also have to shell out a contract not far from what the Bears paid Khalil Mack. For this reason, it seems unlikely that the Raiders are ready to take the plunge on Ngakoue. The high pick and the contract are too many guarantees for a player who is good, but not necessarily great.
The most realistic option if the Raiders are looking to add a passer before the season would likely be Clowney. He should be a little cheaper (the Raiders wouldn’t lose a draft pick either) and offers just as many advantages as Ngakoue. The rumor still seems to tie Clowney more to Tennessee than anyone, but some aren’t even sure if Clowney really wants to play this year. Or maybe he just doesn’t want to go to training camp or catch the virus.
Either way, it’s hard to imagine Gruden doing cartwheels for a player who doesn’t seem in a rush to find a team (and may or may not be in full health).
Clowney wouldn’t be willing to take less than $ 17 million a year, which likely means the conversation about where he’ll ultimately play isn’t going to end anytime soon.
Twitter: @raidersbeat
