5 reasons the Raiders trade for Antonio Brown was terrible
1. Brown is too old
No, we’re not being ageists. Instead, we’re pointing out that Brown is too old to fit into the Raiders’ likely timeline for contention. Mayock should be trying to bring in as many young players as possible. Swapping a first round pick for a 30-year-old receiver doesn’t fit that philosophy in the slightest.
If the Raiders insist on accelerating their rebuild, they should be shopping for younger veterans. Ideally, Mayock and company could swing a trade for a good player nearing the end of their rookie contract. That should have been a workable scenario with a first round pick to offer another team.
No, that player wouldn’t have been as good as Brown immediately, but acquiring a 25-year-old just entering their prime as a football player would have given the incoming asset a chance to still be relevant when the Raiders team can become legitimate playoff contenders. As it stands, Brown will be well past his best by the time his new roster matures enough to become a real factor in the AFC.
Jon Gruden hints the Raiders may trade the No. 4 pick. dark. Next
In the end, this move smacks of desperation for a franchise that’s desperate to build some commercial momentum ahead of their move to Las Vegas. Brown might help the Raiders sell a few more suites, but he’s not going to help them build towards a championship contender. That’s why the Raiders should have resisted the temptation to add a big name star and chosen to patiently build through the draft instead.