Reshaping Roster Through Trades for the Las Vegas Raiders

The 2024 NFL trade deadline marked a turning point for the Las Vegas Raiders, as general manager Tom Telesco executed a series of strategic trades to address longstanding roster gaps and strengthen the team’s playoff push. Unlike past seasons where the Raiders focused on future draft capital, this year’s moves prioritized immediate impact—acquiring proven veterans to shore up the offensive line, add depth to the secondary, and enhance the pass rush. Each trade was carefully calibrated to fit the team’s salary cap constraints while aligning with head coach Antonio Pierce’s defensive and offensive schemes. Reshaping Roster Through Trades for the Las Vegas Raiders explores the thinking behind these deals, their impact on the team’s on-field performance, and how they’ve positioned the Raiders for both short-term success and long-term stability.

Reshaping Roster Through Trades for the Las Vegas Raiders begins with the headline trade for veteran offensive tackle Lane Johnson, a move that addressed the Raiders’ most pressing need: protecting quarterback Aidan O’Connell. Telesco sent a 2025 third-round pick and a 2026 fifth-round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for Johnson, a four-time Pro Bowler with 10 years of NFL experience. Before the trade, the Raiders’ offensive line had allowed 28 sacks (12th-most in the NFL), and O’Connell had been under pressure on 35% of his dropbacks. Johnson’s arrival immediately changed that: in his first five starts with the Raiders, he allowed just one sack and helped reduce O’Connell’s pressure rate to 22%. “Lane brings more than just talent—he brings leadership and experience,” offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo said. “Our younger linemen have already learned from him, and his ability to shut down elite edge rushers has made our entire offense more confident.” The trade also reflected the Raiders’ commitment to winning now, as Johnson’s one-year contract (restructured to fit the cap) keeps him in Las Vegas for the playoff stretch without tying up long-term resources.

Another key trade that reshaped the roster was the acquisition of safety Quandre Diggs from the Seattle Seahawks, a move designed to fix the Raiders’ struggling secondary. The Raiders sent a 2025 fourth-round pick to Seattle for Diggs, a three-time Pro Bowler known for his ball-hawking skills and ability to cover tight ends. Entering the trade deadline, the Raiders’ secondary had allowed 15 touchdowns to opposing tight ends (most in the NFL), a weakness exploited by teams like the Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos. Diggs’ impact was immediate: in his first three games with the Raiders, he recorded one interception, three pass deflections, and limited opposing tight ends to an average of 31 yards per game (down from 68 yards before the trade). “Quandre is the kind of player who makes everyone around him better,” defensive backs coach Tony Oden said. “He communicates well, he reads routes quickly, and he’s not afraid to take charge in the secondary. That’s exactly what we needed.” The trade also provided a long-term benefit: Diggs signed a two-year extension with the Raiders shortly after the deal, ensuring stability at the safety position beyond 2024.

A critical part of Reshaping Roster Through Trades for the Las Vegas Raiders is the trade for defensive end Yannick Ngakoue, which boosted the Raiders’ pass rush and highlighted the Las Vegas Raiders’ ability to find value in the trade market. Telesco worked out a deal with the Houston Texans, sending a 2025 fifth-round pick to Houston for Ngakoue, a veteran with 71.5 career sacks. Before the trade, the Raiders’ pass rush was heavily reliant on Maxx Crosby (12.5 sacks), with no other player recording more than 4 sacks. Ngakoue’s arrival changed that dynamic: in six games with the Raiders, he tallied 5 sacks and 8 quarterback hits, forming a formidable edge-rushing duo with Crosby. “Having two elite pass rushers changes everything for a defense,” defensive coordinator Patrick Graham said. “Offenses can’t double-team both Maxx and Yannick, which opens up opportunities for our interior linemen to get pressure. For the Las Vegas Raiders, this trade turned a strength into a dominant force.” Ngakoue also fit seamlessly into the team’s culture, quickly bonding with Crosby and mentoring younger defensive linemen like rookie Byron Young.

Another trade that reshaped the roster was the acquisition of tight end Dalton Schultz from the Dallas Cowboys, a move that added much-needed depth and playmaking to the Raiders’ passing game. The Raiders sent a 2025 sixth-round pick to Dallas for Schultz, who had recorded 32 catches for 350 yards and 2 touchdowns with the Cowboys before the trade. With starter Foster Moreau sidelined by a knee injury, the Raiders’ tight end group had been limited to backup Austin Hooper, who lacked Schultz’s ability to stretch the field. Schultz’s impact was evident in his first start: he caught 4 passes for 62 yards and a touchdown in a win over the Indianapolis Colts, becoming a reliable red-zone target for O’Connell. “Dalton gives us another weapon in the passing game, especially in the middle of the field,” offensive coordinator Mick Lombardi said. “He’s a smart player who can block and catch, which makes our offense more versatile. For the Las Vegas Raiders, this trade filled a gap we didn’t realize was so big until he arrived.” Schultz’s contract, which runs through 2025, also ensures the Raiders have a long-term solution at tight end.

Wrapping up Reshaping Roster Through Trades for the Las Vegas Raiders is the collective impact of these trades on the Raiders’ playoff hopes and future roster building. Before the trade deadline, the Raiders were 5-5 and on the brink of falling out of the AFC wildcard race. After the trades, they went 6-1 in their next seven games, climbing to 11-6 and securing a playoff spot. The trades not only improved the team’s on-field performance but also reinforced a culture of winning—showing players and fans that the front office is committed to competing at the highest level. Telesco, however, emphasized that the trades were about balance, not just winning now. “We didn’t give up future draft picks we couldn’t afford to lose,” Telesco said. “Every trade we made was designed to help us win this season while keeping our long-term roster plans intact.” For the Las Vegas Raiders, these trades have set a blueprint for future success: using the trade market strategically to address immediate needs, while preserving resources to build through the draft. Reshaping Roster Through Trades for the Las Vegas Raiders ultimately shows that in the NFL, smart trades aren’t just about acquiring talent—they’re about acquiring the right talent, at the right time, to build a team that can compete for championships.