The Raiders saw Gareon Conley play his best football during the later stretch of last season. Now, let’s analyze how he can take another step forward in 2019.
Gareon Conley was once regarded as one of the top cornerbacks coming out of college football. He fell into the lap of the Raiders during the 2018 draft, when the Raiders selected him with the 24th overall pick.
Conley missed nearly his entire rookie season, as he only saw action in two games. Despite his lack of action in 2017, he started 14 games for the Raiders in 2018 and finally found his groove during the later part of the schedule. He flashed some of the same swagger last season that he played with during his time at Ohio State.
Last season Conley had 37 tackles, 15 pass breakups and three interceptions. With his aggressive play, Conley should be able to take another leap forward in 2019 as the Raiders CB1. The Raiders still need more cornerstone players on defense to play alongside Conley. Defensive coordinator Paul Guenther rotated his defensive backs quite frequently last season, before figuring out who his starters in the secondary truly were.
Guenther’s defense struggled to stop opposing offenses, as they gave up an average of 381-yards per game. Conley will have a huge role once again in the Raiders defense, as he will look to stop the opposing teams number one outside receiver.
Conley plays bigger than his 6’0″ 195 pound frame and has the ability to be a “shut down corner”. He has quality top-end speed and goes up for the contested catch very well. His polished ball skills complement his game nicely in order to breakup passes frequently.
Some things Conley can improve on in 2019, to bring his game to the next level are being a more consistent tackler and having a bigger role in run support. Also, if he can get his hips opened quicker out of his break it will put him in a better position to play the ball.
Overall, Conley has the intangibles it takes to lead a secondary. He improved every year statistically during his college career and the Raiders will look for him to do the same during his career in the NFL.
Guenther and the Raiders are hoping for Conley to be that break through player he was built up to be when he was drafted. Conley will patrol the Raiders secondary alongside Lamarcus Joyner, Karl Joseph, Curtis Riley, Erik Harris, Daryl Worley, Nevin Lawson and Nick Nelson.