Las Vegas Raiders: NFC East 2021 free agents to ‘steal’
Nickell Robey-Coleman could be an answer at slot corner
After the LaMarcus Joyner experiment at slot corner failed miserably, the Raiders are in dire need of a player to step up and take that role on. With Amik Robertson still an unknown after a tough rookie season, what better player to add to the team than Nickell Robey-Coleman?
Robey-Coleman calls himself the “Slot God” and clearly feels like he is one of the best in the NFL at that position. After four years in Buffalo, three with the Los Angeles Rams, and a year with the Philadelphia Eagles, Robey-Coleman is on the hunt for a new team, and a trip west to Las Vegas could be the next step in his career.
From 2017 to 2019 Robey-Coleman was one of the highest-rated corners by PFF, earning grades ranging from 74 to a career-best 82.6 in 2018. He had a difficult year in 2020, but the entire Eagles team struggled with the weight of trying to undo the damage of turnovers from Carson Wentz, who was the league leader in interceptions despite playing just 12 games.
Robey-Coleman is still on the right side of 30 and could be an impact player in the slot for the Raiders. He could mentor Robertson in the nuances of the position as he looks to transition from an outside corner where he played at Louisiana Tech.
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Bringing Robey-Coleman in on a one-year deal, as a veteran presence in the defensive backfield and mentor to Robertson could be an excellent move for both parties. He recently signed a 1 year, $1.35 million contract with the Eagles and a similar deal for a starting slot corner would be great business for the Raiders.