Why the Raiders will not trade for Yannick Ngakoue

Why the Raiders will not trade for Yannick Ngakoue

Yannick Ngakoue has been requesting a trade for almost a year. The disgruntled defensive end is reportedly on the verge of leaving Jacksonville. The question is: where will he land?

The Las Vegas Raiders have been linked as a potential trade partner for the Jaguars. This is not going to happen. Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock have been consistent with their roster-construction approach. They have paid conservatively for promising defensive free agents while focusing on young talent.

Mayock has been determined to build through the draft; losing draft picks in exchange for Ngakoue would be detrimental to this approach. In addition, Las Vegas has refused to shell out large contracts for any defensive player. It would be difficult to justify trading away Khalil Mack only to turn around and lose draft picks for another defensive end who they do not intend to sign to a long-term contract.

It is an easy sell to headline Yannick Ngakoue to the Raiders. This is also a lazy take. Prior to free agency, the Raiders had holes at many positions. Supposed experts had every big-name free agent signing with the Raiders. This did not happen. There is no reason why the team would change their approach three weeks before the season starts. Ngakoue will land somewhere else.