2019 Oakland Raiders position group preview: Cornerbacks

GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 18: Gareon Conley #21 of the Oakland Raiders celebrates an interception in the first half of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on November 18, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 18: Gareon Conley #21 of the Oakland Raiders celebrates an interception in the first half of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on November 18, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 8: Isaiah Johnson #14 of the Houston Cougars breaks up a pass intended for Cedric Peterson #18 of the Arizona Wildcats in the first quarter at TDECU Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Thomas B. Shea/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 8: Isaiah Johnson #14 of the Houston Cougars breaks up a pass intended for Cedric Peterson #18 of the Arizona Wildcats in the first quarter at TDECU Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Thomas B. Shea/Getty Images) /

Isaiah Johnson

Isaiah Johnson is a very interesting player to me. Leading up to the draft, there were some outlets claiming that Johnson is a boom-or-bust prospect. That stems from the fact that he just switched from a wide receiver to a cornerback two years ago, so I can see why some are considering him as a hit or miss player. Johnson has the ideal physique for a cornerback. He’s tall with a nice lengthy reach and he’s pretty fast.

The perfect type of frame to play man coverage in or cover a tall receiver. Despite his favorable physique, Johnson is still a player that will need to take some lumps before he can be trotted out on the field comfortably. Johnson will for sure see reps at special teams, in fact I’d expect him to be on punt return to jam gunners.

I would hold off on the excitement for Johnson for at least this season because, once again, the competition is just too high. I just don’t see a way that he finds himself on the defense. Luckily the depth at cornerback is strong so he can soak some of that in along with the coaching. How far Isaiah Johnson is able to go will be on the Raiders coaching staff.