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It’s clear the Las Vegas Raiders need help at several positions, including wide receiver. Recently, Moe Moton of Bleacher Report floated the Raiders as a good fit for San Francisco 49ers wideout Brandon Aiyuk.
“Las Vegas will likely draft quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick,” Moton wrote. “He’s going to need more than All-Pro tight end Brock Bowers to elevate the Raiders’ 28th-ranked aerial attack. “With a projected $82.4 million in cap space for the 2026 offseason, the second-most league-wide, Las Vegas can afford to pursue a top receiver on the open market.
“Keep in mind that Aiyuk is from Reno, Nevada. So, he could enjoy a homecoming at Allegiant Stadium as the Raiders’ No. 1 receiver catching passes from the presumptive No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming draft. That sounds like an appealing situation that will motivate him to stay dialed in for the long haul.”
Regardless of whether the Raiders decide to take a flyer on the former first-round pick, On SI’s 49ers beat reporter, Grant Cohn, questions whether Aiyuk still desires to play football after his situation with the Niners might have alienated potential suitors.
“People keep saying Brandon Aiyuk quit on the 49ers this year and he did,” Cohn said in a video published on Jan. 23 on his YouTube channel. “But doesn’t it seem like he also quit football entirely forever? I mean, isn’t he moving like a guy who doesn’t really expect to play another snap in his career?
“Is he trying to endear himself to other teams when he posts videos speeding past Levi’s Stadium? Who would want him at this point after everything that’s transpired?”
Should the Raiders Gamble on Brandon Aiyuk?
Aiyuk had 75 catches for 1,342 yards and scored seven touchdowns in 16 games in 2023, per StatMuse. This production from a wideout would be a welcome addition to the Raiders.
However, he’s coming off a major injury and hasn’t played football in over a year. For a team like Las Vegas, it’s fair to question if he’d be worth the risk, both from an injury and off-the-field perspective.
Still, any potential move for Aiyuk will determine what the Raiders do in free agency and the draft to bolster the position, especially if the Silver and Black proceed to select Indiana Hoosiers QB Fernando Mendoza No. 1 overall in April’s NFL Draft.
Brandon Aiyuk Might Not Have Much of a Market
If the Raiders do decide to take a flyer on Aiyuk, especially on a contract that the team can get out from under, they might not have much competition for him.
Cohn noted that potential landing spots for Aiyuk appear to be drying up, as he believes the Washington Commanders and Pittsburgh Steelers, two teams Aiyuk was linked to in the past, might not have interest in him.
“The Commanders already have Deebo Samuel and have filled that spot,” Cohn added. “Pittsburgh, Mike Tomlin isn’t there anymore. Those were the two places that Brandon Aiyuk seemed like he wanted to play instead of the 49ers. So, those aren’t options. Seems to me like he’s moving like a guy who has $50 million and doesn’t want to play football anymore.”
Eduardo Razo Eduardo Razo is a sports writer for Heavy.com, covering the NFL, MLB, and college football. He has previously covered the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB for NBC Sports Washington and NBC Sports Bay Area & California, and has freelanced for PSG Talk, covering Paris Saint-Germain. He also worked as an editor at Athlon Sports, focusing on MLB and the NFL. More about Eduardo Razo
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