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Do the Raiders have enough outside cornerback depth?

By Alexander Monfreda

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 13: Cornerback Anthony Averett #23 of the Baltimore Ravens walks off the field following the NFL game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on September 13, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Raiders defeated the Ravens 33-27 in overtime. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 13: Cornerback Anthony Averett #23 of the Baltimore Ravens walks off the field following the NFL game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on September 13, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Raiders defeated the Ravens 33-27 in overtime. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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CINCINNATI, OH – DECEMBER 12: Darius Phillips #23 of the Cincinnati Bengals breaks a tackle from Deommodore Lenoir #38 of the San Francisco 49ers during the game at Paul Brown Stadium on December 12, 2021, in Cincinnati, Ohio. The 49ers defeated the Bengals 26-23. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH – DECEMBER 12: Darius Phillips #23 of the Cincinnati Bengals breaks a tackle from Deommodore Lenoir #38 of the San Francisco 49ers during the game at Paul Brown Stadium on December 12, 2021, in Cincinnati, Ohio. The 49ers defeated the Bengals 26-23. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images) /

Do the Raiders have enough outside cornerback depth?

Darius Phillips

Phillips was the first cornerback acquired in free agency, agreeing to terms with the Raiders on day two of the legal tampering period.

Jones, Averett and Phillips share one similarity: The trio entered the league in 2018. The Cincinnati Bengals took the Western Michigan defensive back in the fifth round, housing Phillips for the entirety of his pro career before this off-season. There’s also one major difference between the three, being Phillips is the only one to have a down-year in 2021.

The best year from the former Bengals’ corner came in the ’19 season. Despite Phillips only appearing in 8 contests, the fifth-round pick was able to break up 7 passes, taking an additional 4 the other away. At the season’s ended, Phillips posted an allowed completion percentage of just 37.5%, on 16 passes his way.

Both Ya-Sin and Averett are corners who excel in press looks, sticking to their man like glue. While Averett held the lowest opposing quarterback rating through the first month of the ’21 season, Ya-Sin finished the year with the lowest completion percentage allowed in man. Like the two above, Phillips has flashed great ball skills in press looks as well.

2020 was a step back in comparison to the year prior, but Phillips was still able to have a respectable season. While spending time on the field in 12 contests, including 8 starts, the former Bengal made sure 12 passes weren’t completed, with an additional interception on top. His two forced fumbles also helped Phillips get some recognition as a playmaker.

All in all, the new Raiders’ corner allowed only 51.7% of passes his way to be completed. After these two promising campaigns, Phillips had the worst year of his pro career.

In 2021, Phillips recorded career worsts across the board. He played his lowest amount of snaps through a season, allowed a career-high 137.7 opposing quarterback rating, and tied for lowest amount of passes broken up in a season. As such, the defensive back earned his lowest PFF grade in three seasons, following an impressive streak of 81.6 in ’19, and 72.1 in ’20.

The silver lining of this lackluster ’21 season – Phillips played a career-low 90 defensive snaps, being tested on only 11 occasions. The sample size was miniscule last year, and Las Vegas is hoping that’s the reason for such a change in numbers.

Lastly, we turn our attention to an option Raider Nation might not expect, but is certainly a possibility, via head coach Josh McDaniels.

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