7. Sean Smith
Sean Smith is exactly the type of quarterback that Ken Norton Jr. loves to have in his system, so it’s no surprise the Raiders went out and signed him this offseason.
At 6’3″, 214 lbs., Smith’s size is a problem for opposing wide receivers. But he’s no lumbering corner — at the NFL Combine in 2009, Smith ran a 4.47 40-yard dash. He may not have that same speed after several years in the league, but he’s still a ridiculous athlete, especially when you factor in his size.
Ian Wharton of Bleacher Report does some fantastic work profile cornerbacks, and put together an in-depth breakdown of Smith in March of 2016, referring to him as “the prized CB in free agency”.
It’s worth checking out, but to summarize, there isn’t anything that Smith can’t do. Man, zone, and covering anything from a slant route to a streak — Smith is the real deal.
If David Amerson can continue his success from last season, with Karl Joseph and Reggie Nelson also joining the mix with Smith, this Raiders secondary is going to be as formidable as its front seven.
– Nick Hjeltness