Oakland Raiders vs. Tennessee Titans: Players to Watch

Nov 8, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Antonio Brown (84) is defended by Oakland Raiders cornerback David Amerson (29) in a NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

David Amerson

Since the return of safety Nate Allen from short-term IR, Oakland’s top cornerback T.J. Carrie has returned to his original spot in Oakland’s defense as their No. 1 corner. While this slight change in the depth chart could have seemingly pushed David Amerson down to slot corner in favor of D.J. Hayden, Amerson has performed well enough in his short window with Oakland to stay in the starting lineup. 

Though he has been torched by opposing receivers at times, Amerson has played at a much higher level than Hayden. He has an ability to make a break on the ball and break-up passes that Hayden simply hasn’t expressed, while he also can perform well both on the outside and in the slot. The two were both drafted in the 2013 NFL draft, though Haden was drafted a round ahead of Amerson. 

With Carrie likely covering Tennesee’s best receiver Kendall Wright, Amerson will have an opportunity to matchup against rookie Dorial Green-Beckham. Though Beckham hasn’t been too much of a threat this season, his 6’5″, 237 pound frame should pose as a challenge for Amerson in itself.