Oakland Raiders: Analyzing the free agency moves so far

The Sure Thing

The most glaringly undermanned position group for the Raiders last season was the cornerbacks, where a collection of young players like DJ Hayden and TJ Carrie underwhelmed. Late waiver wire acquisition David Amerson – a former 2nd round pick in Washington – emerged late in the season as a capable boundary corner, while the rest of the Raiders cornerbacks looked like they could maybe be decent nickel and dime backs. But an NFL team needs two starting-caliber boundary corners, especially a team attempting to run a Pete Carroll-inspired press-bail defensive scheme.

The Raiders had some options in free agency to fill the hole at cornerback and chose to go with the sure thing, grabbing Sean Smith from the division rival Chiefs. Smith, a Pasadena native, was a 2nd round pick of the Dolphins in 2009 and is entering his eighth year in the NFL. While he is a tad on the old side – he will be 29 in July – he has been playing at a high level and brings the kind of size and physicality the Raiders need to the cornerback position.

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Smith is a big corner at about 6’3″ and 218 pounds, who is not exceptionally fast but has the speed to run with most larger receivers in the league and the veteran savvy and athleticism to stay on top of routes and not get beat deep. While not a ball-hawk (10 interceptions in eight seasons, and never more than two in any one year), he is the kind of corner who can be relied upon to cover the opponent’s best boundary receiver and limit his impact on the game.

With the safety position a massive question now – especially since the top two FA safeties have signed elsewhere – the Raiders needed an upgrade at corner in a hurry. Smith is probably being overpaid on a four-year deal for $40M, but will definitely fill a key role for the Raiders over the next few seasons while younger players develop.