NBA star Damian Lillard wants the Las Vegas Raiders to trade for Cleveland Browns rookie Shedeur Sanders, but former NFL linebacker Emmanuel Acho thinks that’s a terrible idea.
The Milwaukee Bucks guard went to social media after watching Geno Smith throw two interceptions in the Raiders’ 40-6 loss to the Colts, calling for the team to trade for the former Colorado star.
What Did Emmanuel Acho Say About Lillard’s Trade Idea?
According to Marca, Acho made his position clear when responding to Lillard’s trade proposal. The former Eagles linebacker and current sports analyst explained exactly why Sanders’s move to Las Vegas would be a disaster.
“The Raiders had the Browns quarterback they wanted to pick, and they picked Pickett. Two things happened. Tom Brady had the opportunity to draft Shedeur and he didn’t. He had the opportunity to trade for Shedeur and he didn’t. This is nonsense.”
He continued: “You want to put Shedeur behind that poor offensive line, and a depleted roster, and a young Ashton Jeanty, and hope that he does what? Y’all trying to set Shedeur for failure.”
Acho’s point cuts to the core issue with Lillard’s suggestion. The Raiders roster isn’t built to support a young quarterback right now. Their offensive line struggles to protect, and they lack the weapons that made Sanders successful at the Colorado Buffaloes.
Las Vegas ranks 28th nationally in PFSN’s offensive impact metric with a D grade through five games, posting a 1-4 record. Throwing a rookie into that situation could derail his development before it starts.
The Raiders proved their lack of interest during the draft. They passed on Sanders seven times before Cleveland traded up 22 spots to grab him in the fifth round at pick 144. Tom Brady had some input on the Raiders’ draft board and clearly didn’t see Sanders as the answer.
Why Is Damian Lillard Pushing for a Shedeur Sanders Trade?
Lillard posted his plea on social media during the Raiders’ Week 5 collapse: “Time to gone ahead and trade for Shedeur man smfh.” The Oakland native believes Las Vegas should “get ready for the future” by trading for Sanders, who’s currently backing up Dillon Gabriel in Cleveland.
After trading Joe Flacco to Cincinnati, the Browns seem to have Sanders to back up in October. He’s been stuck on the depth chart since Cleveland drafted him in the fifth round at pick 144, one of the biggest slides in the 2025 draft. Sanders was projected as a potential first-rounder but fell to Day 3.
His response to the slide speaks to why Lillard believes in him. Sanders posted a viral midnight workout video in July, running through Dallas streets while a car followed for light. He’s been putting in 15-20 minutes of extra work after Browns practices. The dedication is obvious.
But Acho’s argument isn’t about Sanders’ work ethic or talent. It’s about fit. Lillard sees a talented quarterback buried on a depth chart. Acho sees a struggling roster that would wreck a rookie’s confidence. The Raiders had seven chances to draft Sanders and passed every time. Tom Brady had input on that board, and he clearly didn’t see it working either.