Raiders 2022 free agency: All boxes checked on the defense

Raiders 2022 free agency: All boxes checked on the defense

The Las Vegas Raiders grab their safety

With all defensive issues receiving attention, there was just one which wasn’t addressed yet; A split-safety.

For the Raiders specifically, a split-safety is as valuable as a starter, and likely will see starter-like snaps. There are two reasons for this, with reason No. 1 being Patrick Graham and his versatility. Graham enjoys running three safety sets, as he notes the NFL is a passing league. Right off the bat, the addition of this third safety is a big deal.

The second reason is probably even more important than the first. Johnathan Abram is a clear liability on passing downs, allowing a career-average opposing quarterback rating north of 111. Harmon, on the other hand, has allowed a similar number just one year in his career, and going as low as 39.7.

Throughout his career, Harmon has picked off 21 passes, including at least two in each of his last five seasons. This, in particular, has a lot of appeal to a Las Vegas Raiders team that ended the 2021 season dead last in interceptions.

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The Raiders needed a strong safety who could fill in for Abram on passing downs, as well as be the third safety in a triple safety look. They scored a turnover machine with 62 career starts, who’s played and started in each of the 33 contests the last two years combined. A fifth and final check for Las Vegas.