3 teams that could risk a first-round pick for Christian McCaffrey
By Dean Jones
Las Vegas Raiders could gamble on Christian McCaffrey
It was a miracle that the Las Vegas Raiders made the playoffs last season considering how things unfolded away from the gridiron. If the new regime in the desert decides to go all-in on a potential Super Bowl run next season, then trading for Christian McCaffrey is not entirely out of the question.
The Raiders do have Josh Jacobs, but the former first-round pick has regressed of late and it’s hard to deny McCaffrey isn’t a big-time upgrade on the Alabama product when healthy. Las Vegas has been known to take a risk or two in pursuit of success throughout the Davis family’s ownership of the team, and the allure of getting a big name to the organization would only sweeten the pot.
This would need to be a substantial offer considering the cap implications. The Carolina Panthers also rely on McCaffrey heavily, even though that has to change moving forward if the former Stanford star ends up with the franchise next year.
Las Vegas averaged just 95.6 rushing yards per game in 2021, which makes their postseason appearance even more remarkable. McCaffrey’s presence would help enormously and it could even take quarterback Derek Carr’s game to even greater heights for good measure.
A first-round selection does seem like a lot given McCaffrey’s injury history. But that doesn’t guarantee it would put off an ambitious team like the Raiders.