Oakland Raiders cornerback TJ Carrie has been ranked as the 8th best slot corner in the NFL.
Late round draft pick TJ Carrie has been a revelation for the Oakland Raiders since coming to the team from Ohio University. The 2014 seventh round selection developing into a versatile defensive back who has filled a role at both cornerback and safety over his first two NFL seasons in Oakland.
With stability at the safety position, Carrie is set to resume duties as a full-time cornerback in 2016 and Sports Illustrated are expecting big things from the young Raiders defensive back. SI ranking Carrie as the eighth best slot cornerback in the NFL.
SI recently praised Carrie in their ranking of the league’s Top 10 slot corners, claiming that head coach Jack Del Rio and defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. would be wise to make Carrie a full-time slot corner in 2016. A spot that Carrie is a favorite to fill as the third man on the cornerback depth chart behind free agent signing Sean Smith and waiver wire steal David Amerson.
From SI:
"A seventh-round pick out of Ohio in 2014, Carrie is yet another example of how good Oakland general manager Reggie McKenzie is at this whole draft thing. Allowing just 23 catches on 40 targets and 250 slot snaps in ‘15, he also flexed out to safety at times, which has some wondering if he’ll replace the now-retired Charles Woodson at that position. Whatever the Raiders do with him, they shouldn’t deny his potential as an inside corner, especially since they have things sorted out on the outside with Sean Smith and David Amerson. Carrie is a big guy (6 ‘0″, 206) with 4.4 speed who uses angles and aggressiveness to get things done."
There is no denying that Carrie has talent and potential for the Raiders, but the next key will be finding a position to stick with. Slot corner appears to be the natural fit, but with the ability to fill in at safety there is still a chance that Carrie does double duty in the Raiders secondary if there are any injuries this season. Whether it is at backup safety or in the slot, Carrie is one of the best Raiders defensive backs and deserves the praise from SI as one of the NFL’s underrated cornerbacks.