Oakland Raiders: 12 steps towards fixing the team’s biggest problems

CARSON, CA - OCTOBER 07: Oakland Raiders head coach Jon Gruden walks out to the field ahead of the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at StubHub Center on October 7, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA - OCTOBER 07: Oakland Raiders head coach Jon Gruden walks out to the field ahead of the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at StubHub Center on October 7, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
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OAKLAND, CA – SEPTEMBER 30: Gareon Conley #21 of the Oakland Raiders intercepts a pass intended for Antonio Callaway #11 of the Cleveland Browns and runs in back for a touchown at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on September 30, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – SEPTEMBER 30: Gareon Conley #21 of the Oakland Raiders intercepts a pass intended for Antonio Callaway #11 of the Cleveland Browns and runs in back for a touchown at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on September 30, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Let Conley play

The Oakland Raiders made Gareon Conley their first round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, and the expectation was he would be that No. 1 cornerback that every team needs. In fact, coming out of Ohio State, he was seen as a better prospect than teammate Marshon Lattimore, who went on to win NFC Rookie of the Year honors.

The problem with Conley’s rookie season was that he could not get healthy, and it stripped him of nearly the entire year. He came into the summer with a purpose this past offseason, and did all the right things, winning the starting job alongside Rashaan Melvin.

Somewhere along the way, Conley lost his starting job, and barely played at all last weekend against the Seattle Seahawks. If the Raiders want to see what they have in him, and not just throw away another first round pick, they need to actually let him play, because watching football is something he did all of last season.

Then, and only then, will they know if they can base their position group around the talented Conley.

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