Oakland Raiders: Five cornerbacks to target in free agency

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - DECEMBER 03: Bradley Roby #29 of the Denver Broncos forces a fumble during the third quarter against the Miami Dolphins at the Hard Rock Stadium on December 3, 2017 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FL - DECEMBER 03: Bradley Roby #29 of the Denver Broncos forces a fumble during the third quarter against the Miami Dolphins at the Hard Rock Stadium on December 3, 2017 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)
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Oakland Raiders
CHICAGO, IL – NOVEMBER 11: Bryce Callahan #37 of the Chicago Bears attempts to block the pass from quarterback Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions in the first quarter at Soldier Field on November 11, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)

Bryce Callahan

When you think of the Raiders secondary, Gareon Conley and Daryl Worley are the anchors at outside corner. Though both are capable of playing inside, they are better suited outside the hash marks since whoever will fill for them will not be sufficient.

There is a hole at the slot cornerback position that needs to be filled. A potential target for that hole is Chicago Bears cornerback Bryce Callahan. Callahan’s 2018 season saw him become an established elite slot corner before his season was cut short in week 14 after suffering a broken foot.

Playing slot corner is the most challenging aspect on a defense. The different possibilities of attack for a receiver against a slot corner are endless. When covering the slot, he allowed just 0.69 yards per coverage snap and a passer rating of 78.9, which rank second and eighth among cornerbacks, via Pro Football Focus.

The fact that Bryce Callahan was stout at the position gives credence to his stellar mechanics and intellect.

Callahan played under renowned defensive coordinator Vic Fangio  last season. Fangio’s system is not one for the feint of heart. He demands a lot from his players in order to execute his plan. Discipline is key for Fangio the same way it is key to play slot cornerback. This, once again, speaks volumes about Callahan’s talent. If he can excel under Fangio, then his talent is true. His addition to the Oakland Raiders defense would make the Raiders secondary a scary one.

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