Getty Dave Ziegler and owner Mark Davis of the Raiders, should be busy at the NFL trade deadline
The NFL deadline for deals is a week away and for the Raiders, that means the trade rumor season will continue to heat up. Raiders brass, led by GM Dave Ziegler, already are active in discussions, especially around little-used wide receiver Hunter Renfrow, and with that in mind, the folks at Pro Football Focus came up with a potential deal that addresses a need for the silver-and-black.
The proposed deal: Renfrow heading out to the Jets, and pass rusher Carl Lawson heading in to the Raiders.
It is, in a way, a swap of disappointments. Lawson signed a three-year, $45 million contract with the Jets in 2021, a year before Renfrow signed his two-year, $32 million extension with the Raiders. But Lawson tore his Achilles tendon and missed his first year in New York. Despite coming back strong with 7.0 sacks last year, Lawson has seen his playing time drop sharply this year.
Diana Russini of The Athletic reported last week that, “The New York Jets have made it known that pass rusher Carl Lawson is available. It’s been a slow start for him in New York, and his contract makes him an attractive trade option.”
Raiders NFL Trade Rumors Around Renfrow Will Continue
Though most proposed trades at this time of year flame out into nothingness, there could be legs to this Raiders trade rumor, because the Jets need a receiver as much as the Raiders need pass-rush help. The Raider defense had been playing better but is now coming off a week in which it as picked apart by undrafted Bears rookie Tyler Bagent, who was sacked only once in the game.
The financials match up nicely.
“Lawson carries a $6 million salary for 2023, Renfrow is at $6.5 million and the Jets just sent free agent acquisition wide receiver Mecole Hardman back to the Kansas City Chiefs for a swap of late 2025 draft picks,” PFF wrote.
Lawson began his career in Cincinnati and earned a starting job in his fourth season, when he tallied 5.5 sacks and earned a stellar 84.9 pass-rushing grade from PFF. He was solid last year (72.8 grade) in coming back from the injury, but this year, his pass-rushing grade has dropped to 53.7 as he has played only 73 snaps all season.
Jets, Raiders Play in Week 10
Of course, it could be a bittersweet transaction, sending Renfrow to the Jets. He is badly needed there, with slot receiver Randall Cobb struggling, and if he were to be sent to New York and undergo a personal transformation thereafter, he would quickly have the opportunity to get some revenge—the Raiders play the Jets on November 12, in Week 10.
But the Raiders trade rumors around Renfrow persist, because the former Pro Bowler has just eight catches for 73 yards on the season.
“Renfrow has been buried on the depth chart in this Raiders offense and has been shopped for weeks, with nine targets on the season and just 31 offensive snaps over the past two weeks,” PFF noted. “Renfrow recorded 103 receptions for 1,038 yards with nine touchdowns in 2021 but has just 42 receptions for 389 yards and two touchdowns since. His 82.3 receiving grade in 2021 ranked 14th among wide receivers, but his 60.1 mark since ranks 92nd out of 113 qualifying wide receivers.
“Clearly, he is not in the long-term plans of the Raiders’ new regime.”
Indeed, he is not. So keep those Raiders trade rumors flying.