The Oakland Raiders added to their secondary on Wednesday, signing former Detroit Lions cornerback Nevin Lawson to a one-year deal.
The Oakland Raiders have done a nice job rebuilding this roster since the offseason began, and they made another great move on Wednesday. The team signed veteran cornerback Nevin Lawson to a contract for the 2019 NFL season, bringing in a player with a ton of experience as a starter in this league.
Over the last three seasons, Lawson has started all but three of the Detroit Lions games, and has done a nice job as a cover corner for the team. He is a player that is going to put himself in position to make plays, and it is a wonder how he does not have a single interception in his career.
Oakland needed help at the cornerback position, and he will join a group that includes Gareon Conley, Nick Nelson, and Daryl Worley to name a few. This is a secondary that has really improved this offseason, and could be a strength for the team in 2019.
Let us take a look at his contract, the reaction, and place a grade on the move.
Contract Details
According to Ian Rapoport, Nevin Lawson signed a one year deal worth $3.05 million.
The #Raiders are signing free agent CB Nevin Lawson to a 1-year deal worth $3.05M, source said. A new home after starting in Detroit the last several years.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 21, 2019
National Reaction
Nevin Lawson is the master of the "close but no cigar" coverage. Zero ball skills but a good tackler and seldom gets burned. Perfectly fine as the No. 3 outside CB. Asking more than that is asking for disappointment https://t.co/cGHmBC9wAe
— Jeff Risdon (@JeffRisdon) March 21, 2019
New #Raiders CB @nevin_lawson ☠️ pic.twitter.com/3A7aZNa14Z
— Kris Wysong (@KrisWysong) March 21, 2019
Yes sir!! It’s an honor to go to battle with you again @Big_Tah47! https://t.co/zJRHqEFlAd
— Nevin Lawson (@LawGang119) March 21, 2019
Don’t sleep on this one. Lawson will compete with Conley and Worley for starting job. #Raiders https://t.co/qPQDxnLFTK
— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) March 21, 2019
Grade
Nevin Lawson was likely not on any fans radar heading into free agency, but Raider Nation is going to like what this guy brings to the table. He is not a ballhawk by any means, but he does put himself in good position, and showed during his time in Detroit that he can handle his own at the NFL level.
If anything, this signing is going to push the younger guys, and make the position group as a whole much better in 2019. This was not the splashiest signing by any means, but Lawson is a solid NFL cornerback, and just may get that first NFL interception as a member of the Silver and Black next season.