Las Vegas Raiders: Grading 2021 week 2 defensive free agent additions
Nevin Lawson – Cornerback, Las Vegas Raiders
This is a puzzling decision as the Raiders chose to bring back a player that has struggled to make an impact in his two years with the team. Nevin Lawson signed a one-year, $1,125,000 contract which includes $250k guaranteed making it his third one-year deal with the Raiders.
Lawson featured in 14 games for the Raiders, starting nine of them, and many fans clamored for him to be the starting slot corner over the struggling Lamarcus Joyner. Many wanted Joyner to move to free safety and Lawson to take over in the slot as a tradeoff but neither of Raider Nation’s wishes came to fruition.
The former Detroit Lions fourth-round pick has a remarkable distinction that makes him infamous among NFL defensive backs as he has yet to record an interception in his career despite playing 88 games and starting 68. He will likely get an opportunity to record one in 2021 if the Raiders plan to start him in the slot but bringing him back does little to address the lack of depth at cornerback.
Lawson is a replacement player at best who is on the smaller side at 5’9″,190lbs but may be a bridge player until the Raiders feel Amik Robertson can take over the slot corner position. If Lawson does not make the team it will cost the Raiders just $250k to release him so his future is still very much undecided.
Grade: D