Las Vegas Raiders: 5 surprises from the first unofficial 2021 depth chart
By Alex Perl
Las Vegas Raiders: 5 surprises from the first unofficial 2021 depth chart
Nevin Lawson is the starter in the slot
The top two cornerback positions are basically solidified by Trayvon Mullen and Casey Hayward, but the slot position is another story. Thus far in camp, by the look of reps, it would suggest that Gruden and co. were leaning towards giving the starting slot corner position to rookie Nate Hobbs.
The rookie out of Illinois has been a pleasant surprise so far in camp and has taken the majority of reps with the first team. When the first unofficial depth chart was released, we expected Hobbs to be running with the first unit, but instead, it was a familiar face that many in Raider Nation will not be happy about.
Nevin Lawson, returning from a rather lackluster season with the Raiders, seemed like a player more on the way out the door than in, but according to the depth chart, this is not the case. Lawson, more known for having zero interceptions throughout his career, is atop the depth chart in a shock move from the Raiders.
At 30, Lawson’s best days are also likely behind him, and this could be a veteran formality here, or maybe Gruden is just not ready to entrust the spot to a rookie this early. Preseason will give us a clearer view into how this will develop, but as it stands, this is the veteran’s job to lose, though he will miss time early due to suspension.