Raiders Should Avoid Trading Up in the NFL Draft

Many are clamoring for the Las Vegas Raiders to trade up in the NFL Draft. There are many reasons why Las Vegas should avoid making a draft-day deal.

The Las Vegas have the 13th overall pick in this year's NFL Draft. They have more than a few positions they need to bolster this offseason, including their quarterback position. 

While quarterback Aidan O'Connell played well in the second half of this season, the Raiders starting quarterback position will be a heated competition this offseason. 

This year's NFL Draft only has a handful of top-tier quarterbacks, and they' will have all been selected by the time Las Vegas announces its first selection. 

This has led to the idea of the Raiders possibly trading up with one of the top teams in the NFL Draft to pick their quarterback of the future. 

The Raiders have nine picks in this year's NFL Draft and multiple holes to fill on their roster. Some of those holes are only a player or two away from being solidified. 

In addition, O'Connell played well this season, considering the difficult situation he was thrown into. 

New Las Vegas Raiders General Manager Tom Telesco has multiple important decisions to make early in his time with the Raiders.  / Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

O'Connell played well enough this season that he earned the right to compete for the Raiders' starting quarterback position next season. However, as rocky as this season was, the Raiders still had a shot at the playoffs until the last few games. 

They have a new head coach, Antonio Pierce, who will have an entire offseason to make necessary changes, and they have a new general manager who knows how to rebuild a team's roster. 

GM Tom Telesco has been relatively successful overall with his first-round draft picks, including defensive end Joey Bosa.  

The Raiders can add to their team as they see fit. The quarterback position undoubtedly needs additions to be made to it. Las Vegas, however, shouldn't mortgage the future to gamble on a quarterback that might not work out. 

Telesco shouldn't want to hitch his legacy with the Raiders onto such a bold risk early in his tenure with the team. He has the knowledge and eye for talent to stay put at 13th overall and add to other positions on the team that could use a top talent, such as offensive lineman or linebacker while using free agency or the trade market to find another quarterback. 

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