The Las Vegas Raiders were reportedly close to making a trade for the Chicago Bears pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, however, they were beaten out by the Carolina Panthers for one major reason.
The 2023 NFL Draft was shaken up in a major way last week when the Chicago Bears finally pulled the trigger on what had been rumored for weeks and traded the No. 1 pick in April’s event. However, while teams like the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts were thought to be top contenders to land the sought-after selection, it was instead the Carolina Panthers that were able to jump up from the nine spot to get a deal done.
Related: Chicago Bears pull off blockbuster trade, move down from 1st pick in NFL Draft
As one would expect, the Bears received the Panther’s pick at nine, and a second-round selection this year. However, they also landed a first in 2024 and a second-rounder in 2025. But the real difference-maker in the deal was the inclusion of uber-talented wide receiver DJ Moore.
The 25-year-old has racked up three 1,000-yard receiving seasons and finally gives Chicago QB Justin Fields the legitimate weapon in the passing game that he lacked the last two seasons. Well, the Las Vegas Raiders were also deep in talks with the Bears about moving up from seven and it seems that acquiring Moore was what separated their offer from Carolina’s.
Las Vegas Raiders record (2022): 6-11, 3rd place in AFC West
On a Monday morning edition of “Get Up,” NFL insider Dan Graziano spoke on the Raiders failed bid to get the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft, and select either Bryce Young or CJ Stroud to be their next starting QB.
“DJ Moore was a critical part of this trade. They had talks with other teams. The Raiders, I am told, were in on this and had a very similar framework in place to move up from seven to one to get a quarterback. But they didn’t have the DJ Moore-type piece that Chicago was looking for. So, think about that, that’s two big spots, that Chicago’s back at nine instead of seven. That’s how important it was for them to get this kind of player, because they feel he’s the kind of receiver that Justin Fields needs.”
– Dan Graziano
After failing to acquire the Bears selection, the Las Vegas Raiders will likely shift gears to possibly drafting Anthony Richardson or Will Levis with their pick at seven, or making a move to sign veteran Jimmy Garoppolo or attempt a trade for Green Bay Packers legend Aaron Rodgers.