Silver Minings: Raiders named trade destination for Matthew Judon

Should Las Vegas add a veteran pass rusher?

While the Las Vegas Raiders have Maxx Crosby and Malcolm Koonce to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks from the edge, in a pass-happy league, an argument could be made that a team can never have too many pass-rushers.

Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine recently listed a few potential trades the Raiders should pursue, one of them being striking a deal for New England Patriots pass-rusher Matthew Judon.

“If the Raiders are going to reach their ceiling in 2024 it’s going to be because of how much pressure they can get on quarterbacks,” Ballentine wrote.

“A lot of pieces are in place for them to do that. Maxx Crosby was one of the league’s most productive pass rushers last season. Christian Wilkins gives them a presence on the interior they just haven’t had, Malcolm Koonce went on a tear at the end of the season.

“…That being said, a one-year flier on Matt Judon would give them one of the deepest pass rushes in the game. There’s risk. He’s going into his age-32 season after playing just four games in 2023 before a bicep tear ended his year.

“But when he’s been on the field he’s been highly productive. He had 28 combined sacks in 2021 and 2022.”

Ballentine also listed Cleveland Browns’ cornerback Greg Newsome II and getting a first-round pick for wide receiver Davante Adams.

What do you think? Would you be interested in any of these deals?

In Other Raiders’ links:

• Get to know Andrew Coker: S&BP’s Bill Williams dives into the background for one of the Silver and Black’s undrafted free agents.
• Getting buried on the depth chart: “With Malcolm Koonce’s surge in the second half of last season and the signing of Christian Wilkins this offseason,” S&BP wrote, “there aren’t a whole lot of reps to go around on the Raiders’ defensive line. According to The Ahtletic’s Tashan Reed, Wilson is “firmly behind” Maxx Crosby and Koonce on the depth chart to begin OTAs.
• 3 things to expect from Aidan O’Connell: “As is the case with any rookie quarterback, O’Connell had some head-shaking moments, especially in the pocket,” Just Blog Baby’s Brad Weiss wrote. “Not blessed with incredible footwork, O’Connell is going to have to find a way to move in the pocket and extend plays, especially with question marks up front along the offensive line.”
• O’Connell reveals area of improvement: “The leadership aspect and the being vocal aspect were still really hard for me,” via Raidrers Today. “Because I was a rookie and still trying to figure it out. And so, to be super vocal, to encourage guys, to challenge guys, I think was definitely difficult for me.”