Las Vegas Raiders: 3 new starters on defense to be excited about in 2021
By Brad Weiss
Las Vegas Raiders: 3 new starters on defense to be excited about in 2021
Casey Hayward, Cornerback
Then there is the cornerback spot, a position that has been an Achilles Heel for this Raiders defense for quite some time, and on they have thrown many assets at. Between high-round draft picks, and free agency money, the Raiders have been trying to get it right at cornerback for quite some time, and they have done it this offseason.
2019 second-round pick Trayvon Mullen has been solid since joining the franchise, and he returns as the starter at one of the cornerback spots. Opposite him will be Casey Hayward, a former Pro Bowl cornerback under Gus Bradley, and one that will bring veteran leadership on and off the field in 2021.
When you add 2021 fifth-round pick, Nate Hobbs to the starting lineup, you have to think this is one of the more talented starting groups the Raiders have had at cornerback in years.
The hope is, that the defense will not only be improved in 2021, but will be a unit that actually can make some big plays, and force some turnovers. The front office did a nice job stacking talent, and if the moves work out, the Raiders are going to be much better on the defensive side of the ball, making them a very dangerous team in the AFC.