Oakland Raiders: Neiko Thorpe impressing at camp, earns first team snaps

Jun 10, 2014; Alameda, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders cornerback Neiko Thorpe (31) at organized team activities at the Raiders practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Former Auburn and Toronto Argonauts cornerback Neiko Thorpe is looking to make the most of a golden opportunity to crack a 53 man roster in the NFL this summer in a crowded class of cornerbacks at the Oakland Raiders 2014 Training Camp in Napa.

Thorpe, who impressed at Auburn before needing to make the move to the CFL to get some experience as a starter at the pro level, made his way to Oakland this winter following a season with Toronto. Failing to crack the Kansas City Chiefs roster in 2012 out of college, Thorpe hasn’t had the same trouble making a name for himself in his second NFL training camp with an AFC West franchise. Making plays during the team’s first padded practice and eventually finding his way into first team snaps on Monday thanks to his impress practice performance thus far.

Thorpe has a long way to go to crack the Raiders roster at the end of August, after all the team drafted Keith McGill and TJ Carrie who both look good to make the roster as rookies along with valuable special teamer Taiwan Jones. Hayden’s absence has given Thorpe a chance to showcase his talents however, something that definitely gives the former War Eagle and short lived CFL talent a hope at making more of his stay in the NFL the second time around. If he carries his impressive practice play into the preseason, there is hope for Thorpe remaining on the bubble come the time for final cuts this preseason.