With the NFL trade deadline approaching, the Oakland Raiders have offered up all their Monopoly cards, which include only one railroad (but both utilities!) and no get out of jail cards.
While the Falcons aren’t likely to bite on Thomas Howard or Chris Johnson (not that Chris Johnson), here are two Raiders they might be more likely to think about:
WR Johnnie Lee Higgins: Speedy Higgins has returned punts for the Raiders, but hasn’t gotten much of a chance in Oakland’s passing game lately. Then again, nobody else has either. In 2008, he actually led all Raiders receivers in yardage, but he was injured for parts of 2009.
The Falcons haven’t gotten a ton of production out of their wide receivers except for Roddy White, though Michael Jenkins had a great game in his season debut. The receiving corps, including Tony Gonzalez, is also getting up there, so it might be nice to have another young guy aboard.
The Raiders aren’t going to part with Darrius Heyward-Bey or Louis Murphy, but an explosive athlete like Higgins might be obtainable for cheap.
OL Daniel Loper: Loper can play a little guard and a little tackle, having played in 50 NFL games for the Titans, Lions, and Raiders.
With concerns about LT Sam Baker getting beaten on a weekly basis, the Falcons could stand to throw another body onto the depth chart. Especially with Baker’s injury history.
Loper also did this earlier this year:
In light of Roddy White’s forced fumbles, that’s about the most Falconly maneuver an NFL offensive lineman has pulled off all year.