The Oakland Raiders are in a very favorable position heading into the 2013 NFL draft, as they have the number three pick and can select an elite prospect, but they are also are in a place where they could trade down to stockpile more picks and one team that may help them is the New York Jets.
According to ESPN.com, the Jets traded cornerback Darrelle Revis to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, giving them another first round draft pick at 13 as well as a conditional pick for next season. The Jets now have two picks in the top 13 selections and the team could use that situation to its advantage and trade up to the top five to select one of the top players, including Dee Milliner from Alabama, who could step in and take over for Revis at the cornerback position.
The Raiders have been linked to Milliner, but it is also known that they wouldn't mind trading out of the third spot, as they are in a rebuilding year and have few draft picks and would like to get their hands on some more. ESPN reported that the Vikings and Chargers would also be interested in trading up, with San Diego possibly looking to move into the top three.
The Jets have the picks to do that now and if they give the Raiders their 13th and swap it for the third while giving up other picks, they still will have the chance to select someone else elite at nine, including someone on the defensive line, offensive line or at wideout. The Jets trade for Revis shakes up the Buccaneers trade plans, but it also shakes things up for the Jets, as they could decide to deal one of their first round picks for more in later rounds, as the 2013 class is considered to be a deep draft, or they could sit tight and take two top prospects to help add some talent to a roster that is sorely lacking it after the trade. The Jets could go after a wideout like Tavon Austin as well as a guard like Chance Warmack or a tackle like Lane Johnson.
The Raiders would love to make a deal to go to 13 because they likely would get a player they desire in someone like Sharrif Floyd or Lane Johnson if he drops and they also could be in position to take some other players if those are selected, including Jarvis Jones and Barkevious Mingo, who the Jets also like. Jonathan Cooper and Tavon Austin should be available at that spot, as will Tyler Eifert and Zach Ertz, the top two tight ends in the draft that could help make up for the loss of Brandon Myers to the Giants.
Both the Jets and Raiders are looking to improve after tough seasons and the opposite coast rivals may be in position to help each other out on draft night Thursday. If the Raiders sit tight they also could try to pick Milliner and then trade him to someone like the Lions or Jets, as they signed two cornerbacks in Mike Jenkins and Tracy Porter this offseason. Despite the fact that the Raiders went 4-12 last season they will have a chance to improve as the defensive signings and the trade for Matt Flynn has already upgraded the roster a great deal from last season.
