Raiders: Grading the defensive position groups entering the 2022 offseason
Cornerbacks
It seems to be the same story for this Raiders franchise every offseason, as there continues to be a need at the cornerback position. Whether they spend big money in free agency or utilize first-round draft capital at the position group, every year around this time we are looking at the position and scratching our heads.
Trayvon Mullen returns in 2022 after missing most of 2021 with an injury, and it remains to be seen whether or not he is a legitimate CB1 at this level. Nate Hobbs came in as a Day 3 rookie and played at an extremely high level, and if he can take care of business off the field, he will be a mainstay in this secondary for years to come.
Casey Hayward came in as one of Gus Bradley’s guys and played at a Pro Bowl level, but he was on a one-year contract and could be gone. Players like Keisean Nixon and Brandon Facyson had a few big moments, but outside of Mullen and Hobbs, do the Raiders really have another starting cornerback on the roster heading into the offseason?
Grade: D