One thing reportedly prevented Raiders from trading for No. 1 pick in 2023 NFL Draft
The Las Vegas Raiders were reportedly in the mix to land the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft from the Chicago Bears
The Las Vegas Raiders were reportedly in the mix last week to land the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft from the Chicago Bears.
Chicago traded the pick to the Carolina Panthers for a draft haul that included two first-round picks, two second-round picks, and star wide receiver DJ Moore.
One specific detail reportedly prevented the Raiders from landing the top pick from the Bears.
ESPN's Dan Graziano reported on Monday, during an on-air appearance, that Las Vegas had talks with Chicago about the No. 1 pick.
The Raiders, however, didn't have a DJ Moore-type wide receiver to offer the Bears in the deal. Chicago was determined to land a top wide receiver for quarterback Justin Fields (NBC Sports' Peter King noted this week that the deal with Carolina doesn't happen without Moore).
I don't think Las Vegas fans should be upset about missing out on the No. 1 pick. In fact, they should be happy the Raiders weren't able to strike a deal with the Bears.
If the Panthers hit on a franchise quarterback with the No. 1 pick, the deal will be worth it. Finding a longterm franchise quarterback capable of winning the Super Bowl is one of the toughest things to do in sports.
The only problem for Carolina is that there isn't a Joe Burrow-type player at the top of the draft. Alabama's Bryce Young is probably the best quarterback in the draft, but his size (5-foot-10) is a major concern.
If Carolina doesn't hit on a quarterback, this trade will be a complete disaster and it will set the Panthers back years. It's a risk that wasn't worth taking.
The Raiders should stay put at No. 7 and take the best player available. Then they could select someone like Tennessee Vols quarterback Hendon Hooker in the second round (a player that several scouts have a first-round grade on). That would give them a rookie quarterback that has potential while protecting future assets.
Chicago was the big winner in the deal for the No. 1 pick. By not trading for the top pick, the Raiders might have been a big winner, too.
