Oakland Raiders: Projecting Amari Cooper and other fire sale moves

It’s becoming apparent that Jon Gruden has a plan, or at least he thinks he does. That plan involves blowing the Oakland Raiders up and starting over.

His reasoning is difficult to understand. The team went 12-4 in 2016 and 7-9 last year. Sure they need a lot of work defensively but with some good tweaks, they had a chance to be competitive in the AFC. That’s the reason Gruden was hired. To take them to the next level as he did with Tampa Bay back in 2002. Except he had no such plans. He had control of the roster now and clearly plans to build it the way he wants it.

That much became clear when he willingly traded star pass rusher Khalil Mack to Chicago. The move essentially rendered his defense toothless and a big reason the team has started 1-5. Since then the rumors have only intensified that Mack was not the first. It’s likely other former high draft choices by GM Reggie McKenzie could be on their way out. It feels like just a matter of time, either before the deadline this year or next offseason.

Here are the names that bear watching, what the Raiders might be able to get for them and good teams they could fit on.

Amari Cooper

Price tag: 2nd to 3rd round pick
Best fit: Philadelphia Eagles

The wide receiver hasn’t quite acclimated to the new offense Gruden installed this year but there’s no reason to think he can’t in the future. Then again Gruden has never been known for patience. So if the former Pro Bowler is on his way out, better to get rid of him while he still has good value. A team like the Philadelphia Eagles, who have the need for more firepower along with two 2nd round picks next year might be the perfect landing spot for him.

Karl Joseph

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Price tag: 5th round pick
Best fit: Atlanta Falcons

A number of factors have led to Karl Joseph not quite living up to his billing thus far. Health issues have gotten in the way, but so has the fact that he’s had three different defensive coordinators since being drafted. It’s hard to excel under those conditions. Joseph clearly needs a fresh start elsewhere. The Atlanta Falcons need help at safety in the worst way due to injuries and their head coach Dan Quinn knows how to develop that position better than almost anybody.

Gareon Conley

Price tag: 4th round pick
Best fit: Chicago Bears

Conley didn’t get off to a good start in his NFL career, first due to off-the-field concerns and then an injury setback. He’s healthy now and has stayed out of trouble. He also seems to have improved as a player too, though he hasn’t gotten a lot of help. Since he’s another McKenzie pick, it stands to reason he could be gone soon too. The Bears are in need of help in their secondary. A talented young corner like Conley could do great things under Vic Fangio.

Derek Carr

Price tag: 1st round pick
Best fit: New York Giants

This might be the most inexplicable decision but then again so was Mack. Despite his recent struggles, Carr is the best quarterback the Raiders have had in a long time. He has the capacity to be great. However, Gruden has never successfully developed a young quarterback in his career. It’s all come from established veterans like Rich Gannon, Brad Johnson, Brian Griese and Jeff Garcia. He may take that approach again.

If Carr is gone, a team that should absolutely move to get him is the New York Giants. GM Dave Gettleman made it clear he’s against starting over at QB. This would give him the window of opportunity to move on from Eli Manning and keep his team relevant.

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