Raiders Post-Draft Analysis: Cornerbacks

Forty-eight hours after the draft, the Las Vegas Raiders filled out their roster with draft picks and undrafted free agents, things feel uncertain. Perhaps no other position group feels this sting more than the cornerback group. Granted, at this writing, speculation swirls around a potential Casey Hayward signing. However, if that occurs, some semblance of calm and direction actually exists. Additionally, the team depth, even with a Hayward signing, still looks rather thin and rather undermanned. With that said, let’s look at the depth chart and see where the cornerback group lines up.

Trayvon Mullen

From the outside, Mullen resembles the closest to a shutdown corner the Raiders employ. However, that speaks more for the talent in that room than his abilities. At best, Mullen profiles as a solid number two corner. Granted, he gives up in the range of sixty percent, completion-wise, he manages to knock down his fair share of passes. Yet, penalties continue to follow the third-year year corner. Of the sixteen accepted penaties during his first two seasons, eight pass interference calls. Too much grabbing for an alleged top corner.

Damon Arnette

If we take away the injury angle, because that is not any of his doing, Arnette struggled mightily. As a rookie, you expect growing pains. On the other hand, you didn’t expect poor tackling, worse angles and a lack of awareness. Already twenty-five, Arnette will soon enter his prime and will need to justify his draft position. Will the Raiders pick up a fifth-year option on a 28-year-old?

Rasul Douglas

The prototypical Bradley corner: long, physical, fighter. What Douglas lacks in twitch in speed, he makes up for punishing wideouts. However, he isn’t a starter. The lack of explosion really reduces him to a subpackage role, maybe even safety. Don’t believe it? Allowing twelve touchdowns makes this case plain.

Isaiah Johnson

Now, we can pick apart picks in the Gruden regime. Yet, Johnson possesses a fair amount of upside. Although he played some safety, the ceiling at corner also opens eyes. With his size/speed combo, the Raiders could use Johnson in nickel and dime packages. Bradley favors subpackages over base sets. As a result, expect him to see more snaps.

Amik Robertson

Buried on the bench for the majority of the year, Robertson hopes a new coordinator sees why the Raiders drafted him. In a perfect world, Robertson thrives in the slot, shadowing receivers and providing big plays on third down.

Nate Hobbs

Now, you may scratch your head on a rookie placed about Lawson, Nixon, et al. Well, we’ve seen what they can do. With Hobbs, the athletic palette and hunger gives the Raiders a depth piece. In all honesty, none of the two veterans mentioned in this paragraph need snaps over the Illinois product.

Analysis

The Raiders need to still upgrade at corner. If signing Casey Hayward remains an option, they need to jump on it. With his addition, the Raiders can discard an ineffective veteran on the backend and embrace a youthful depth chart. The Las Vegas Raiders play in the most receiver-rich division in the NFL. They need stellar play from their cornerback position group.