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Oakland Raiders: Top 5 Free Agent Cornerbacks

By Gagan Aujla

Jan 22, 2017; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler (21) reacts after a play in the first half against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2017 AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 22, 2017; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler (21) reacts after a play in the first half against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2017 AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 12, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Logan Ryan (26) during the second half against the Baltimore Ravens at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 12, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Logan Ryan (26) during the second half against the Baltimore Ravens at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Logan Ryan

Two New England Patriots cornerbacks on the same list? Yes, you are reading that correctly.

In 2016, Logan Ryan did it all for the Patriots’ defense. He racked up 92 tackles, 2 interceptions, 11 passes defensed, 1 sack, and 1 forced fumble.

Although Ryan did not accumulate a ton of interceptions, he has gained a reputation as the most solid and consistent player on the Patriots defense. Consistent cornerback play is something that the Raiders have not had since the days of Nnamdi Asomugha. Ryan would have the potential to do just that.

Along with being a great player, Ryan would bring a sense of leadership to the secondary, as well as quite a bit of playoff experience. Being able to help the development of young players like Karl Joseph would help immensely in the defense’s growth in general.

Once again, it will be hard to pry Logan Ryan away from the Patriots, but he would fit like a glove in Oakland’s secondary. He just turned 26 this month.

Jan 7, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Bruce Irvin (51) and Houston Texans cornerback A.J. Bouye (21) trade jerseys after the AFC Wild Card playoff football game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Bruce Irvin (51) and Houston Texans cornerback A.J. Bouye (21) trade jerseys after the AFC Wild Card playoff football game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

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1. A.J. Bouye

A.J. Bouye is by far and away the most interesting cornerback in the entire 2017 free agent class.

In 2016, Bouye had 63 tackles, 1 interception, and 1 sack on the no. 1 ranked defense in the NFL. He was also one of the highest rated cornerbacks in 2016, with a PFF grade of 87.9. What Bouye does cannot be quite measured in numbers. Go watch the two games he played against the Oakland Raiders as proof.

Bouye has also garnered a reputation as one of the best slot cornerbacks in the NFL. What makes him such an intriguing possibility is that the Texans had the opportunity to franchise tag him and hang onto him for another year, but they did not do that.

So Bouye will in fact hit the market, and will demand a large contract from any team that will be in pursuit. It appears that Bouye is not 100% committed to re-signing to Houston, so maybe the Raiders could swoop in and steal him.

Next: Raiders Should Let Malcolm Smith Walk

Either way, A.J. Bouye is a known commodity, and it would be something to behold, if the Raiders found a way to get their hands on him.

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