Raiders linked to potential blockbuster trade with AFC rival

It feels like the Las Vegas Raiders are set as far as their skill players are concerned.

Geno Smith is now the guy under center for the Raiders, and he will have plenty of offensive weapons at his disposal. Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers are good starting points, the three rookies the Raiders selected in April’s draft have been impressive so far, and rookie running back Ashton Jeanty looks poised to fix the team’s rushing attack.

That said, the Raiders have been linked to upgrades all season long, and one has a former All-Pro heading to Las Vegas at a discounted rate.

Could the Raiders decide to make such a drastic move this close to the start of the season?

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill has been the subject of trade rumors all offseason long, and Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski took a stab at making trade packages for interested teams.

For the Raiders, Sobleski has Hill coming over in exchange for tight end Michael Mayer, a 2026 fifth-round pick and a 2027 seventh-round pick.

“The Raiders aren’t a team built to be patient, especially if minority owner Tom Brady is as involved in decision-making as it seems,” Sobleski wrote. “Hill can be a difference-maker for the team because he doesn’t need to be its No. 1 threat with tight end Brock Bowers already on the roster. The two can be fantastic complementary pieces, as opposing defenses would be stretched by bracketing both in coverage.

“Because of Bowers’ presence, fellow TE Michael Mayer is expendable. Granted, the Raiders can easily move forward with both on the roster. Hill presents a different dynamic, though. Besides, Hill in the Raiders lineup gives the team a much better chance to compete in the stacked AFC West.”

While Hill would be an intriguing addition to the wide receiver room, he does carry some risk.

Hill went through an injury-riddled 2024, and that could be a sign of decline setting in for the 31-year-old. Also, the Raiders coaching staff has unabashedly waxed poetic about Mayer’s performance, and notably did not trade him to the Dolphins after they looked for a replacement to Jonnu Smith. The Raiders could entice the Dolphins with a similar receiver in Tre Tucker, but it is questionable if the team wants to get older this quickly.

Hill is someone worth consideration for the Raiders, but the risk balances out the reward more than usual in any kind of deal.