Las Vegas has done a lot to their cornerback unit, but there’s still room for the overall position to improve.
The Raiders’ new regime has made an abundance of moves this off-season, tightening up various units across the roster. With a trade that lead to Las Vegas acquiring Rock Ya-Sin, who had the lowest completion percentage allowed in man coverage last season, in addition to the signing of former Raven Anthony Averett, cornerback is certainly one of the units that have been addressed.
There’s still more great talent out there at the position, should the Raiders feel work isn’t done yet.
At the start of this year’s free agency, Las Vegas was reportedly in on the JC Jackson sweepstakes, ultimately losing out to the division rival Chargers. Immediately after, it was said the team negotiated with Stephon Gilmore, but talks grew quiet between the two sides. If the Raiders’ front office still wishes to bring in a veteran, starting-caliber cornerback, the chance to do so remains.
As it stands, Rock Ya-Sin and 2019 Raiders’ draft pick Travon Mullen are the team’s starting corners on the outside. Averett and Darius Phillips, who both signed with the Raiders this off-season, are the outside depth.
Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham and head coach Josh McDaniels have been on the same page when it comes to wanting five starting-caliber corners, which is a number the team currently falls short of. Including slot cornerback Nate Hobbs, that number is closer to four; If five is still the desired number, here are some options for Las Vegas.