Raiders should make a bold trade for a wide receiver who can truly help take Geno Smith’s game to the next level
The Green Bay Packers found eight starting-caliber players in the 2022 draft, which is insanely good. But at the same time, it brought them an obvious problem: Their rookie deals are coming up, and it's impossible to keep everyone around beyond 2025. Right tackle Zach Tom is the priority, but the Packers gave a clear […]
The Green Bay Packers found eight starting-caliber players in the 2022 draft, which is insanely good. But at the same time, it brought them an obvious problem: Their rookie deals are coming up, and it's impossible to keep everyone around beyond 2025. Right tackle Zach Tom is the priority, but the Packers gave a clear indication that wide receivers Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs are not the first options to get a second contract by drafting Matthew Golden in the first round and Savion Williams in the third.
This brings trade options to the table, and the Las Vegas Raiders come to mind to potentially acquire a player like Romeo Doubs in a trade.
In 2024, the Raiders suffered with the lack of wide receiver production. Jakobi Meyers was the only one with more than one yard per route run (1.76), and Doubs came closer to his efficiency (1.67). A third-round pick—or maybe a fourth with some type of sweetener, would be enough to make it happen.
Raiders perspective
John Spytek and the Las Vegas Raiders did a great job of addressing their very big need in the wide receiver room. They were able to take Jack Bech, the physical TCU receiver, and then turn around a few rounds later and take the speedy deep threat of Dont'e Thornton Jr., the receiver from Tennessee. So, many of you may be asking, why would they trade for a wide receiver, when they just drafted two? That's a fair question. But with the assets that they have, the cap space they have, why not try and put as many weapons around Geno Smith?
The current wide receiver room that the Raiders have, even post-draft, is one without a ton of experience, and experience in winning at that. You can say Jakobi Meyers has the experience, and he does, but he's never been on a winning team really. Adding a guy who has played in some big-time games like Romeo Doubs has, could be perfect for Smith. If this team is going to skip the huge rebuild process like Pete Carroll claims they are, getting winners and experience on an already young team would be key. If the price is right, you absolutely trade for a guy that also has some upside if LV thinks they can unlock it.
Packers perspective
Doubs in particular is a tough pill to swallow thinking about future possibilities. While he's a reliable receiver, he also has the lowest ceiling among the Packers' top options—including Watson, Jayden Reed, and Dontayvion Wicks. He is a solid piece of the offense, but at the same time it's hard to keep him around paying a veteran wide receiver contract.
According to Spotrac, Doubs is in line to get a four-year, $47.74 million contract ($11.9 million per season). The amount isn't prohibitive, but the Packers would be smart to prioritize other pieces—wide receiver is a truly unique position, where the optimal approach indicates paying top players, but not mid-level guys who are more replaceable.
The Packers could be in position to receive a compensatory pick in free agency if Doubs leaves in free agency next offseason, but that pick wouldn't come until 2027—and would depend on Green Bay not making external additions on the market. So if the Packers can get a guaranteed pick a year earlier, it's something to consider—especially because there are more than enough wide receiver options on the roster to keep the offense performing at a high level.
Inside the bold Packers move to break a 23-year streak and what it says about Matthew Golden’s offensive potential within Matt LaFleur’s scheme
Green Bay used the 23rd overall pick to take a receiver
