The Oakland Raiders need help at the cornerback position, and here are five draft prospects they could go after in the first and second rounds.
On Monday, the Oakland Raiders released starting cornerback Sean Smith. While the move did free up over $8 million in salary, it does leave the team extremely thin at one of the more important positions on the defensive side of the ball.
As the team heads into the offseason, it is a position that needs to be addressed. The hope is that 2017 first rounder Gareon Conley can become a legitimate starter next season, reaching his potential after injuring his shin last season, missing most of the year.
Aside from Smith being released, the team also has to deal with the fact that T.J. Carrie left for Cleveland this offseason. Carrie was the best cornerback on the team last season, and his departure leaves an even bigger hole for the team.
With the 2018 NFL Draft only six weeks away, the Raiders need to start getting down to business. Releasing Smith did free up some cap space, which they may decide to use on a veteran cornerback to team with Conley this season.
However, a lot of the top free agent cornerbacks have already been signed this offseason, which means the team may have to lean on the 2018 NFL Draft to add depth to the position. Here are five possible selections for the Raiders in the first two rounds.