The Oakland Raiders continue to revamp their 2019 roster, adding former Detroit Lions cornerback Nevin Lawson to the fold on Wednesday night.
Heading into the 2019 NFL season, the Oakland Raiders knew they needed to do something to improve their secondary. Last season, guys like cornerback Gareon Conley and safety Karl Joseph really took big steps forward, but the depth behind them was lacking entering free agency.
First, they signed Daryl Worley to a second-round tender, as they hope to bring back a guy who is still very young, and extremely talented. Then, they re-signed Erik Harris, a safety who came out of nowhere to be one of the higher-graded players at his position in the AFC West according to Pro Football Focus.
During the 2018 NFL Draft, the Raiders selected Nick Nelson out of Wisconsin, though he barely played as a rookie. He will be in the fold as well next season, but on Wednesday, they brought in a player with a ton of starting experience in the NFL, signing former Detroit Lions cornerback Nevin Lawson.
Since being selected by the Lions with their fourth round pick in 2014, Lawson has made himself into a starter at the NFL level, and has started all but three of the Lions games over the past three seasons. One of those guys who always puts himself in position to make a play, he incredibly has yet to nab an interception in his career, something the Raiders hope changes once he puts on the Silver and Black.
Conley played extremely well last season, but it was really his first time showing he could be a legitimate CB1 at the NFL level. The hope is that he continues to move in the right direction, and in Lawson, the team adds not only an experienced player, but someone who can be used next season on the outside, or in the slot.
Conley and Worley are expected to be the starters on the outside for the Raiders, and free agent signing Lamarcus Joyner, despite being a free safety for the Los Angeles Rams, will likely play a lot in the slot. Lawson comes to the Raiders with plenty of starting experience, and you can expect to see him on the field a lot in 2019.
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