The Oakland Raiders are a work in progress and it's clear the team head coach Jon Gruden has in mind will take a bit of time to create.
It's clear the team needs playmakers and considering the cap space and draft picks, the team has a lot to work with ahead of the 2019 season.
Adding two particular pieces could turn the Raiders woes around and both players are currently with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell have played at an elite level for years now and were two-thirds of the trio deemed the “Killer B's” in Pittsburgh.
Their time with the Steelers is all but over and the Raiders could end up acquiring both players this offseason.
Here's how they could do it and why it would make sense.
3. The trade for Antonio Brown
The idea that the Raiders could make a strong push for Brown via trade is a concept that makes a lot of sense and is very realistic.
Considering the Raiders have three first-round draft picks in the 2019 draft and the Steelers want nothing less than a first rounder, a trade could be made sooner rather than later.
The only hangup in the scenario is that Brown will presumably another big contract once his current one is expired, but the Raiders traded Amari Cooper last season for a similar reason. Cooper was due for a new contract, but the Raiders cashed in and got the Cowboys 2019 first round pick for him.
Unfortunately, Cooper went on to have a career season with the Cowboys, so making a similar deal is something the Raiders have to be thinking through thoroughly at this point.
2. Signing Le'Veon Bell
The Raiders were horrific in the run game last season, so why not make a strong a push for the top free agent running back?
Le'Veon Bell is regarded as the best running back in the league, pending he hasn't lost a step since holding out this past season. Bell would instantly get to run behind one of the league's most solid offensive lines and quarterback Derek Carr would gain a nice security blanket when pressure comes his way.
The Steelers were able to use Bell in multiple ways, but over the years he has really proven to be a fantastic pass catcher.
The Oakland offense could benefit greatly from Bell's skill set as any team surely would, but there's likely no other team as desperate as the Raiders after many underwhelming performances last season.
If Brown is dealt to the team, it would likely be an added incentive for Bell to take a closer look at taking his talents to the Bay Area.
1. The Raiders' need for playmakers
This one is more of a why, but it's no secret the Raiders have been arguably one of the worst offensive teams in the league.
The lack of playmakers is abundantly clear and at this point, they need all the help they can get.
To take a big step forward, why not go for two of the league's best since they are both available?
Both Brown and Bell have been considered the best at their respective positions over the years, and the Raiders could see their misfortunes turn around very quickly if they can acquire both players.
The Steelers offense was unbelievably elite when these two were out on the field, but unfortunately, things have turned sour in Pittsburgh and the era of the “Killer B's” is nearing a bitter end.
But both players would add huge value to the Raiders, and it's simply a matter of whether the front office wants to do what's necessary to acquire the two best offensive players on the market.
