Upcoming Match-ups

Jordy Nelson, Not Derek Carr, Favored to Be Next Raider Traded

Ryan Metivier

by Ryan Metivier in NFL Football

Updated Apr 10, 2020 · 11:21 PM PDT

Derek Carr in practice
Rumors are swirling that Derek Carr's days in Oakland could be coming to an end. Photo by US Air Force/Louis Briscese (Released)
  • Odds have been released on which Oakland Raider will be traded out of the Bay Area
  • Could Jordy Nelson be on the chopping block?
  • Or is there value on someone else being traded next?

With Jon Gruden and the Oakland Raiders in full-on fire sale mode, everyone is wondering who will be sent packing next. Earlier this season saw the departure of former first rounder Khalil Mack to Chicago and on Monday another former first, WR Amari Cooper, who was sent to Dallas.

Odds have been released on who will be next and WR Jordy Nelson is the favorite

Odds on the Next Player to Be Traded from the Oakland Raiders

Player Odds
Jordy Nelson +400
Derek Carr +500
Marshawn Lynch +500
Jared Cook +750
Any Defensive or Special Teams Player +125
Any Other Offensive Player +175

Without Cooper, Nelson is now clearly the team’s best true receiver. Jared Cook at TE leads the team in receptions and yards, but Nelson leads all pass catchers on the team with three TDs. He also has 22 receptions and 323 yards.

Nelson, once Aaron Rodgers’ long-time safety blanket in Green Bay, would likely be an attractive asset to a team looking for some receiving depth. There is one difference between Nelson and the players who have already been traded out of Oakland though.

That is he just signed with the team this offseason on a two-year deal worth $15 million with $13 guaranteed. This is a player new coach Gruden signed, versus one he inherited. To trade him already would paint a picture that Gruden is already giving up on his own signings.

Who is the Raiders’ Most Attractive Asset?

Starting QB Derek Carr has been absorbing much of the blame for Oakland’s struggles. Yet he does seem to still have the confidence of teammates if you believe Nelson’s quote above.

But Carr’s reputation has taken a beating after he looked to be crying as the result of a hit he took during the game against Seattle. He’s since come out and denied the tears. But the city of Oakland has a tough reputation and there are reports that Carr has a “fractured relationship” with some Raiders’ teammates. Could this drama be enough to send him packing?

Carr certainly has not been part of the solution, having only thrown seven TDs compared to eight INTs. He ranks only 16th in total passing yards at 1,783. But he’s hardly the only issue in Oakland. It wasn’t that long ago he was looked on as one of the more exciting young QBs in the league.

In both 2015 and 2016 Carr threw for just shy of 4,000 yards and had 32 and 28 TDs respectively.

In both 2015 and 2016 Carr threw for just shy of 4,000 yards and had 32 and 28 TDs respectively. This season he has thrown for 300 yards or more three times, with one of those games going for over 400. That game also saw him throw four TDs. So the talent is certainly there.

Gruden may say he doesn’t see the team making any more trades but Carr is likely their most tradeable asset. The Raiders are in tank mode and Gruden has nine more years on his contract to build a winner with his own players.

There are countless teams who could use what I would consider to still be an average to above-average starting QB. The Raiders already have three first round picks in 2019 and could likely get another by trading Carr.

Best Bet: Derek Carr +500

Author Image