The Las Vegas Raiders have leaned heavily on their defense in recent seasons, which is why newly hired head coach Pete Carroll prioritized retaining defensive coordinator Patrick Graham—who has remained a steady presence through three coaching regimes.
Despite that, new general manager John Spytek made some bold roster moves this offseason, allowing half of the defensive starters to walk in free agency, including standout cornerback Nate Hobbs. He followed that by waiving starting cornerback Jack Jones weeks later, creating a significant void in the secondary with the NFL Draft fast approaching.
Fortunately for the Raiders, help could be on the horizon. The Miami Dolphins are reportedly open to trading star cornerback, a three-time First-Team All-Pro. Given Las Vegas’ urgent need for a proven starter at the position, he has quickly emerged as a potential target for the Silver and Black.
Grade the trade proposal: Raiders land Jalen Ramsey in exchange for promising WR
On Tuesday, Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton proposed a potential trade scenario between the Raiders and Dolphins. The deal would provide Las Vegas with a much-needed answer at cornerback by acquiring Jalen Ramsey, but it wouldn’t come cheap. According to Moton’s idea, the Raiders would have to part with two significant assets in return—making it a high-stakes move for a team looking to rebuild its secondary.
Wide receiver Tre Tucker has steadily developed into a promising weapon for the Raiders over the past two seasons, and he’s poised to take another leap forward in 2025 under new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly. With his explosive speed, Tucker is expected to play a key role in the revamped offense, making him a valuable asset. Given his upside, it’s unlikely the new front office would be eager to part ways with him—or with a mid-round draft pick—in any potential trade.
Adding Jalen Ramsey would immediately boost the Raiders’ secondary, with Ramsey joining Jakorian Bennett to form a formidable cornerback duo. Ramsey would become the team’s top defensive back right away. However, with the 2025 draft class offering a wealth of talented cornerbacks, the Raiders don’t necessarily need to rush into a trade with Miami. They could find a starting-caliber corner in the fourth round, making it less compelling to give up that pick in a trade.
Trading away Tre Tucker would also create a significant void at wide receiver, as he and Jakobi Meyers were the only receivers with substantial production last season. While there are other viable wideout options in free agency, the Raiders would have to account for Ramsey’s hefty contract, which could limit their ability to add veteran receivers.
While Ramsey would certainly bolster the defense and be the best player in the trade, parting with a fourth-round pick and giving up on Tucker would be a tough call. If Spytek and Carroll believe Ramsey can truly transform the defense, they should consider pulling the trigger. However, their actions this offseason—focusing on building through the draft—suggest that such a move would contradict their long-term strategy.