The Las Vegas Raiders need more playmakers on offense. Outside of Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers, their skill position players didn’t contribute much in 2024.
With a new starting quarterback likely in 2025, the Raiders should prioritize giving him the best chance to succeed. Adding a star wide receiver would significantly ease that transition.
Meanwhile, the Seattle Seahawks are facing salary cap challenges this offseason, which could force them to part ways with high-priced players. One potential trade candidate is wide receiver DK Metcalf, and the Raiders could be a logical landing spot.
Marcus Mosher of The 33rd Team proposed a deal in which Las Vegas would receive Metcalf and the No. 137 pick in exchange for their No. 37 pick.
“We know how much Pete Carroll loves Metcalf, and there would be no problem with him fitting into the culture of Las Vegas,” Mosher wrote on Feb. 14. “Giving up a second-round pick feels a bit steep, but a third-round pick probably wouldn’t be enough.”
Mosher also noted that if the Raiders sign a quarterback like Sam Darnold in free agency, acquiring Metcalf would make even more sense. They could then use the No. 6 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft to strengthen the offensive line or bolster the defense. These moves—adding Darnold and trading for Metcalf—would help make the Raiders competitive immediately, which aligns with Carroll’s goal.
DK Metcalf’s Contract Situation
One potential drawback of trading a second-round pick for Metcalf is that he’s entering the final year of his contract. If traded, he would likely seek a new deal right away.
Despite being one of the NFL’s most physically gifted wide receivers, Metcalf is coming off a down year, finishing with just 992 receiving yards. He may not be a top-20 wideout at the moment, but he’ll likely demand to be paid as one.
If he’s open to a contract similar to his current $24 million per year deal, the trade might be worth it. However, if he seeks closer to $30 million annually, the Raiders might be better off using their second-round pick to draft a wide receiver.
Chris Godwin as an Alternative
If the Raiders prefer not to trade for Metcalf, they could pursue a free-agent wide receiver with ties to the team. ESPN’s Jenna Laine recently reported that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers won’t use the franchise tag on Chris Godwin, making him available.
New Raiders general manager John Spytek has a connection to Godwin and could persuade him to join Las Vegas. While not as dynamic as Metcalf, Godwin is still a reliable receiver and wouldn’t require trade assets. Additionally, he’s likely to command a more affordable contract, which could be beneficial if the Raiders plan to spend big on a quarterback like Sam Darnold in free agency.