One trade, cut and signing the Las Vegas Raiders should make

In 2023, the Raiders missed the playoffs for a second straight season, but a strong finish should give the fan base optimism. After it fired Josh McDaniels in Week 9, Las Vegas went 5-4 under Antonio Pierce, who had his interim tag removed.

To excel in Las Vegas, the first-year head coach must upgrade the roster and find players who buy into the culture he's trying to establish.

With that in mind, here is a trade, a cut and a signing the Las Vegas Raiders should make.

TRADE: Move up in the draft and take a quarterback   

Aidan O'Connell — a fourth-round pick out of Purdue — had his moments during his rookie season, but he's not a franchise QB. In 11 games, he completed 62.1 percent of his passes for 12 TDs, seven interceptions and a below-average 40.5 QBR.

The Raiders have the 13th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. The top QB prospects might fly off the board, so moving up would be a good idea. ESPN's Dan Graziano reported the Patriots are "open" to trading the third overall pick. Las Vegas should call New England and try to make a deal.

If the Raiders trade up, expect them to target 2023 Heisman winner Jayden Daniels. Before the QB transferred to LSU, Pierce was "a big fan" of Daniels when they were at Arizona State.

CUT: QB Jimmy Garoppolo

The NFL recently suspended Garoppolo for violating its Performance-Enhancing Substances Policy. Per The Athletic's Vic Tafur and Dianna Russini, the Raiders are expected to cut him in March to avoid paying him an $11.25M roster bonus.

 While Las Vegas could try to trade Jimmy G, teams won't be interested in a declining player. Last season, the 32-year-old threw more interceptions (nine) than TDs (seven) in six starts, and the team benched him in favor of O'Connell in Week 9.

Cutting Garoppolo with a post-June 1 designation would save $24.07M, which could help the Raiders make a splash in free agency. OTC estimates they have $35.25M in cap room.

SIGNING: Defensive tackle Justin Madubuike 

The Raiders defense improved last season, finishing seventh in the league in points allowed (19.5). Still, it could use one more star to vault to the next level.

Madubuike, 26, recorded career highs in sacks (13), tackles for loss (12) and pressures (33). He also finished ninth in Defensive Player of the Year voting and earned his first Pro Bowl nod.

His market value is a four-year deal worth $20.3M annually, seventh at his position. That's a sizeable price tag; however, Las Vegas needs elite defensive players, especially with the team planning to implement special "rules" to stop Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes.