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Lamarcus Joyner could be the key to the Las Vegas Raiders secondary

By Brad Weiss

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - SEPTEMBER 29: Lamarcus Joyner #29 of the Oakland Raiders reacts after making a tackle for a loss during the fourth quarter of the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 29, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - SEPTEMBER 29: Lamarcus Joyner #29 of the Oakland Raiders reacts after making a tackle for a loss during the fourth quarter of the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 29, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images) /
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Lamarcus Joyner was one of the bigger free agent signings for the Las Vegas Raiders a year ago, and he will be the key to the secondary in 2020.

During the 2019 offseason, the then-Oakland Raiders brought in former Los Angeles Rams star safety Lamarcus Joyner, who was coming off his best season as a pro. The hope was that the team could utilize Joyner as their slot corner, bolstering a secondary that has been an issue for some time now.

Instead, Joyner struggled mightily in his first season in the Silver and Black, not living up to his reputation, or his contract. Entering Year 2, and with the team moving to Vegas, he is going to have to play up to his talent level if this secondary is going to do anything against a pretty tough slate of quarterbacks.

Luckily for Joyner, the Raiders have improved all three levels of the defense, and they may be able to move him back to his more comfortable position at safety. The Raiders have added talent on the defensive line in Maliek Collins and Carl Nassib, completely revamped the linebacker group, and brought in new faces at both safety and corner via free agency and the 2020 NFL Draft.

A move to free safety?

Joyner played slot cornerback for the Raiders last season, and he was terrible in coverage, and really was a liability for the defense. In 2020, word is that he may be moved over to free safety, which would free up the slot corner spot for rookie Amik Robertson, and help improve the safety group as a whole.

Robertson is widely considered one of the steals of the 2020 NFL Draft, and plays well above his size. A tremendous cover corner, he could come in and start right away, as he has that Alpha Dog mentality, and is never one to shy away from competition.

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The hope is that the Raiders can get the best out of Joyner this season, as they have brought in a ton of talent around him in the secondary. He looked overmatched for most of the 2019 season, and a move to free safety could be just what this Raiders defensive backfield needs to take a giant leap forward.

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