Oakland Raiders Have A Bargaining Chip, Should Look At Using It

The Oakland Raiders have a problem in the middle of their defense – but they also have a solution that could possibly help fix it.

When Oakland Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie and HC Jack Del Rio opted to not address their situation at inside linebacker this offseason, it was met with some raised eyebrows and quiet words of concern. But most were willing to put their faith in the Oakland’s brain trust – as well as Ben Heeney and Malcolm Smith.

Through the first two weeks of the season though, that faith seems to have been misplaced. In back to back weeks, the Raider defense has been obliterated, giving up more than 500 yards of offense to both New Orleans and Atlanta. Though the entire defense shoulders the responsibility of course, Oakland’s inside linebackers have been particularly terrible.

Granted, things start up front. Oakland’s defensive line hasn’t gotten much of a push up the middle, nor have they applied any real sustained pressure to opposing quarterbacks. Through two games, the Raiders have tallied just a pair of sacks and both Drew Brees and Matt Ryan had all day to sit in the pocket and dissect this defense.

More from Las Vegas Raiders News

• Raiders: Rookie stock report following Week 3 performance
• Raiders: Bryan Edwards out, Henry Ruggs doubtful for Sunday
• Raiders: Damon Arnette re-injures thumb, could be headed to IR
• Raiders fall short in letdown Week 3 loss to the New England Patriots
• Raiders: Game breakdown and prediction for Week 3 at New England Patriots

If you give a quarterback as talented as Brees and Ryan the amount of time they’ve had to operate, they will pick you apart all day long.

Though the push up front hasn’t been there, Smith and Heeney have only exacerbated the problem with poor tackling and even poorer pass coverage. Both Brees and Ryan have been able to turn short receptions into big gains because Smith and Heeney haven’t been able to cover – well – anybody.

A problem that reared its head last season was Oakland’s trouble covering the tight end. Opposing tight ends feasted on Oakland’s poor pass coverage on the short and intermediate routes. Curtis Lofton, Heeney, and Smith were regularly abused in short pass coverage situations.

It was a problem that DC Ken Norton Jr. helped mitigate by using Taylor Mays and Neiron Ball. But with both Mays and Ball gone, the Raiders have lost any sort of depth they had. Now, in light of their increasing struggle, Del Rio and Norton may possibly be turning to sixth round draft pick Cory James to help stop the bleeding.

Perhaps James is, as Del Rio put it, a “ball magnet,” and can help shore up the middle. It remains to be seen. But if James is not the answer, the Raiders may find themselves in a whole world of hurt.

Related Story: Cooper Needs To Improve Knowledge, All Around Game

However, they do have another option. With the free agent market for inside linebackers fairly thin out there, Oakland may want to look at swinging a trade. And in their pocket, they have what could be a valuable commodity to barter with – quarterback Matt McGloin.

McGloin has plenty of tape and while perhaps, not a spectacular passer, he has shown that he can be a solid game manager. He has a decent enough arm and has plenty of poise in the pocket. He’s much like Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith in his abilities and has proven to be plenty tough and resilient.

With the quarterback situation on some teams hurting (Dallas, Chicago), deteriorating (Washington) or already in full blown crisis mode (Cleveland), the Raiders might be wise to explore any potential trade possibilities they can dream up.

A trade not for draft picks – but for a player who can step in and contribute immediately.

Though teams would be loathe to part with an impact player, given the importance of a quarterback, McKenzie could possibly strongarm a team into making a deal. And given the utter crisis in Cleveland, that may be the team he wants to target.

With Robert Griffin III out for a long while, and his backup Josh McCown also going down for an undetermined length of time, the Browns are looking at starting third round pick Cody Kessler or the recently signed Charlie Whitehurst.

Neither of which, should instill a deep sense of confidence in the organization.

And in return for McGloin, McKenzie should demand either Demario Davis or Christian Kirksey. Neither are superstars – but then, there aren’t a lot of superstars to be had out there to begin with. Davis and Kirksey are solid against the run as well as the pass – though Kirksey is likely better in coverage.

Neither Davis nor Kirksey are going to be absolute game changers for this defense. However, they might be able to plug the holes a bit and be something of an upgrade at the position. At the very least, they couldn’t be worse than we’ve seen from the Raiders after two games this season.

Let’s face it, McGloin very likely isn’t going to be back with the Raiders next season. With Connor Cook under contract, and having had some nice moments during the preseason, it will more or less shut the door on McGloin’s return for another year.

And if that is indeed the case, the Raiders should do what they can to address a glaring need by dealing him. Given the quarterback situations among various teams, McGloin’s trade value is certainly not going to be any higher than it is right now.

Many believe McGloin has the talent to be a starter and an effective game manager – something a few teams could use right now.

Oakland has a big need. They also have a commodity that they might be able to parlay into a player who can fill that need. Teams may balk at the price, but it would behoove McKenzie to have those discussions anyway.

Next: Raiders' Brilliant Offensive Start Overshadowed By Defensive Woes

Oakland’s defense is off to a historically bad start. And their inside linebackers are looking even more overmatched than they did last season. It’s a problem this team needs to address now or risk undermining what could be an interesting, if not special season, for the Silver and Black.

The offense is off to a blistering start. The defense is just getting blistered. McKenzie needs to do everything in his power to fix it and trading McGloin could potentially help do just that. It certainly couldn’t make anything any worse.