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Ranking top 3 Raiders most likely to be dealt at 2026 NFL trade deadline
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- Ranking top 3 Raiders most likely to be dealt at 2026 NFL trade deadline
Ranking top 3 Raiders most likely to be dealt at 2026 NFL trade deadline appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The Las Vegas Raiders are in an interesting position coming into this year's NFL trade deadline. They're a team that, on paper, is built to sell a few assets at the trade deadline to bolster their draft position next year. However, considering the state of the team right now, there's a legitimate argument that the Raiders should stand pat and see how far this team can go this season, knowing that they already have their quarterback of the future.
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Still, the Raiders could stand to trade a few of their players at the trade deadline to recoup some value. Let's look at the three most likely players to get traded at the 2026 NFL trade deadline.
3. QB Kirk Cousins
Had the Raiders lost brutally in Week 8 to the New York Jets, Cousins' name might be higher up on the list. A 3-5 record heading into the trade deadline is often a sign for the team to blow it up and give their rookie quarterback a chance to shine.
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After their win, though, the probability of Cousins being traded has gone down significantly. The veteran quarterback's trade value is high amidst his surprising resurgence this season. With many teams looking for quarterback help, Cousins will definitely garner a ton of interest. Here's what Jeremy Fowler wrote about Cousins earlier this week.
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"Cousins played well enough through seven games that he has trade value," Fowler wrote . "So does his contract, which after being reworked features a $1.3 million base salary. Aidan O'Connell, the Raiders' QB3, is a former starter who could slide into the primary backup role to Fernando Mendoza if Las Vegas is ready to start the rookie. There are no glaring needs at quarterback leaguewide, but injuries happen every week. The Raiders have not planned to be overly active at the deadline."
However, the Raiders' goal this season is to let Fernando Mendoza learn from the sidelines. While Cousins is still playing decently well and not losing them games, it's in their best interest to keep the veteran around to keep morale high.
With the right offer, though, the Raiders might be incentivized to trade Cousins. That's the only reason he's on this list, but he's the most unlikely to be traded.
2. CB Darien Porter
Cornerback is one of those premier positions in the NFL that always somehow gets involved in trades at the deadline. The Raiders have one such cornerback who's currently fighting for snaps this season, but could thrive in a different environment.
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Sophomore cornerback Darien Porter has been buried in the Raiders' depth chart this season, fighting for snaps with rookies Jermod McCoy and Hezekiah Masses. Porter recently suffered a groin injury, but the coaches' quotes about McCoy seem to indicate that the rookie cornerback will get more play this season even when Porter returns.
"We wanted to get Jermod some exposure, and that's going to continue," Klink Kubiak said when asked about why McCoy won the CB2 role, per Sam Warren.
He should net a decent return for the Raiders at the trade deadline. The injury complicates things a bit, but that shouldn't be too big of an issue.
1. OG Jackson Powers-Johnson
The best trade chip that the Raiders have at the trade deadline is a player who showed promise early in his career, but has slowly found himself sinking in the depth chart. Jackson Powers-Johnson was drafted by the Raiders two years ago in the second round. JPJ was pretty good in his first two years, but he's slowly been outplayed by Caleb Rogers. Rogers took his starting role early in the season, and Powers-Johnson is yet to reclaim that spot.
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Still, JPJ's past performance should make him an intriguing trade chip for teams looking to bolster their offensive line depth. Quentin Nelson already filled a big hole in the Seahawks' offensive line, but there are other teams out there who could use a former second-round pick.
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This trade also wouldn't adversely affect the Raiders' plans this season as well, should they choose to compete for a playoff spot. Rogers has the starting guard position on lock, and it doesn't look like JPJ will win back his role anytime soon. The Raiders should try and recoup some value from the former second-round pick and give him a chance to thrive in potentially greener pastures.
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