The Oakland Raiders have a done a nice job adding talent this offseason, but they need to target an elite cornerback in the 2019 NFL Draft.
For years, the Oakland Raiders needed help at the cornerback position, and the group would be a revolving door for free agents, and draft picks. In 2018, Gareon Conley, the team’s 2017 first round pick, stepped up big time, and looks like he is a legitimate CB1 at the NFL level as he enters year three.
During the 2018 offseason, Oakland not only drafted Nick Nelson in the fourth round, but they also brought in Daryl Worley via free agency. While Nelson did not do much as a rookie, Worley was a guy who the team could rely on, especially with big-name free agent Rashaan Melvin underachieving in his only season in the Silver and Black.
As they enter the month of April, and still holding four of the first 35 picks in the 2019 NFL Draft, the cornerback position has to be a priority for the Raiders. Sure, they added Nevin Lawson this past week, a guy who was a starter during his time with the Detroit Lions, but that does not mean they are set at the position by any means.
Earlier in free agency, Oakland brought in Los Angeles Rams safety Lamarcus Joyner, who will likely spend a lot of time as a slot corner with the Raiders. With Joyner and Conley entering camp as starters, the other outside corner position is still available, and this draft class has a few options who could step in and start right away.
Names like Byron Murphy, Deandre Baker, and Greedy Williams should all be heard in the first round this April, as all three have the potential to be starters in year one. Guys like Lawson and Worley are not locked up after this season, so do not be surprised if the team uses one of their first four picks on this position group.
Lawson is a guy who should play a big role in Paul Guenther’s defense next season, and this group could certainly use his experience. Worley is also another guy who has a lot of potential, and if the Raiders can add an elite corner in this draft, this is a position group that should be a strength moving forward.