As the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis continues into the weekend, talk of Antonio Brown being dealt from the Pittsburgh Steelers will heat up.
All 32 teams are on hand for the annual dog-and-pony show — making it easy for general managers to have conversations.
While one California team might be out of the running for Brown, another will reportedly be in play for the seven-time Pro Bowler.
According to NFL insider Tony Pauline, said team is the Oakland Raiders.
“Strong speculation is that the Oakland Raiders will be in the mix for Antonio Brown when talks on trading the receiver are narrowed down,” Pauline reported.
On one hand, it makes little sense for the Raiders to have interest in the 30-year-old Brown. He’s obviously seen as a strong personality, which might clash with head coach Jon Gruden.
No one is saying it for a certainty, but Gruden’s relationship with recently traded receiver Amari Cooper is likely one of the reasons he was dealt to the Cowboys last season. How would that dynamic play out?
On the other hand, Oakland boasts both the draft capital and salary cap room to make a move of this ilk. It possesses three first-round selections in the 2019 NFL Draft and is currently $70.3 million under the cap.
It also goes without saying that Gruden and Co. need a true star receiver to help take their offense to the next level.