By: Jake Rajala

The Las Vegas Raiders are on the brink of being an AFC juggernaut in the near future. With that said, I’m going to simply untwine three profiles on the Raiders that could turn heads and help LV beat squads like BUF, CIN, and KC next season.

Denzel Perryman

Perryman was unequivocally an amazing value signing in 2021 for the Raiders. After playing in a Chargers uniform for six seasons, the LB Denzel Perryman cracked his first Pro Bowl spot with the Raiders in 2021. Perryman had career-high marks in tackles (154 and fumble recoveries (2). He also had 5 TFLs and 3 QB hits. The Raiders ILB could have more opportunities with Chandler Jones in the same unit. Perryman is bound to be a FA in the 2023 off-season, so it’s important that LV can retain their star LB.

Kenyan Drake

The former Cardinals RB, Kenyan Drake, should definitely thrive under Josh McDaniels moving forward. Drake registered 1,092 all-purpose yards and 10 RRTDs last season in 2020, but he took a noticeable dip in 2021: 545 total yards and 3 RRTDs. A healthier Drake with a sharp offensive play-caller (that nicely utilized James White) could shine with excellent receiving match-ups and as the RB2 behind Josh Jacobs. Drake is also in the last year of his contract.

Kolton Miller

Kolton Miller is the glue in the Raiders offense and he will need to keep climbing the ladder in 2022. His presence will be extremely vital against the fierce AFC pass rushers like Khalil Mack, Joey Bosa, and Melvin Ingram. Miller finished as the fifth-best OT by PFF last season, so perhaps an All-Pro season is on the horizon. Miller signed a three-year contract extension worth $54 million dollars in the last off-season.

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The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Devin Bush Jr. with their tenth pick in the 2021 NFL draft. Bush has been a modest linebacker for the Steelers, but he hasn’t lived up to his draft stature. Here is a look at how productive Bush has been in his career:

• four career sacks
• two interceptions as a rookie
• 205 career combined tackles (51.25 tackles per season)
• third in running for Defensive Rookie of The Year

Bush has clearly made plays in the run and pass game for the Steelers, but he hasn’t progressed noticeably early in his career. Nonetheless, The Steelers LB can that is only 23 years old can still blossom into a superstar. We’ve seen Demario Davis ascend into an All-Pro caliber LB late in his career. It’s never too late for Bush to take the league by storm.

If Bush wants to be a defensive menace, it could potentially be with a different team. The Steelers haven’t decided to pick up the fifth option on the former Michigan defensive stud. If they don’t pick up the option on the slightly underperforming LB, they may opt to trade him this offseason before allowing him to leave elsewhere in free agency next offseason.

If the Steelers feel like they can get a good draft pick or player in return for Bush, I expect them to pull the trigger. So, who could trade for Bush? Well, here are a few potential destinations.

• Steelers trade Bush Jr. to the Carolina Panthers for a fourth round draft pick

The Carolina Panthers have a talented defense, as they had the fourth-ranked pass defense in passing yards per game allowed. They signed Haason Reddick in the 2021 offseason and then they traded for Stephon Gilmore in the 2021 season. There is one position on their defense that could receive a noticeable upgrade and it’s arguably the most vital position on a defense: middle linebacker.

The Panthers starting MLB from 2020 Jermaine Carter Jr. is a free agent this offseason and it doesn’t appear he will return. The Panthers, who now play in the Tom Brady-less NFC South, could strike a deal for Bush Jr. and look to formulate a young, elite defense. The Panthers have young talent on defense and Bush Jr. could be a part of the new direction.

• Steelers trade Bush Jr. to the Las Vegas Raiders for Denzel Perryman and a sixth round draft pick or Bush Jr. for a fourth round pick

The Las Vegas Raiders are hungry for playoff success after recently losing to the Cincinnati Bengals in the wildcard round. The Raiders have playmakers on offense with Derek Carr, Josh Jacobs, and Darren Waller. On defense, the Raiders have arguably the top edge rushing duo with Maxx Crosby and Yannick Ngakouye. They still need more juice on defense, as they play in the wild AFC West.

The Raiders could still aim to get younger and faster at their MLB position. They have the veteran run-stopper, Denzel Perryman, at MLB, but he is a mediocre, soon-to-be free agent (2023). The Raiders also have the 14th most cap space in the NFL, so they could feel comfortable inking Bush Jr. and signing a big free agent profile at WR. The Steelers could potentially receive Perryman and a 7th round pick in return.

• Steelers trade Bush Jr. to Philadelphia Eagles for Gardner Minshew and a seventh round draft pick

The Steelers have been rumored as a potential landing spot for Minshew Mania. If they want to send ammunition to the Eagles for Minshew, they could send Bush Jr. instead of a draft pick. Nick Sirianni hasn’t exactly motivated Minshew, as he told him starting for the Eagles was “not going to happen”. Minshew was very impressive as a rookie, but he was replaced by the first overall pick Trevor Lawrence (who played worse than Minshew), and sent to Philly.

The Eagles may prefer to receive Bush Jr. instead of receiving a late-round draft pick in a Minshew trade from any other team. I expect Minshew to be shipped out of Philly this summer to the Steelers or Commanders. Heavy. has listed the Steelers as an ideal landing spot for Minshew, too.

Minshew would arguably beat out Mason Rudolph and Mitchell Trubisky in a QB competition. If they land Minshew, they may elect to draft a non-QB position in round one and lean on Minshew to lead their talented roster back to the postseason next season.

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