Outside of wide receiver, the cornerback position might be the biggest weakness currently on the Raiders roster. That was even after the team agreed to a deal with Eli Apple, which eventually fell through.
But with no second-round pick and three late-third round picks, the Raiders might have to wait a while to address this need if they go elsewhere in the first round.
But likely for Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden, there are a ton of intriguing mid-round cornerbacks that could start right away in the NFL. Today, we are taking a look at three names the Raiders could fall in love with during the third or fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
1. Noah Igbinoghene, Auburn
Of the three names listed, Igbinoghene is the most likely be drafted above where the Raiders pick in the third round. He is an elite athlete who just turned 20-years old in November. While his play was somewhat inconsistent in 2019, he clearly has the size, speed and length to make it in the NFL.
Igbinoghene is a bit of a project, but given what he did in the SEC and his age, there is a lot to be excited about in the near future. Think of Igbinoghene as a much younger, more refined version of Isaiah Johnson, who the Raiders took in the fourth round last season.
2. Reggie Robinson, Tulsa
One of the biggest risers during the pre-draft process is Tusla’s Reggie Robinson. After a strong performance at the Senior Bowl, Robinson dominated the NFL Combine as he tested as a 92 percentile athlete, according to SPARQ.
At 6’1, 205 pounds, Robinson ran a 4.44 40-yard dash and had a 132-inch broad jump. Not only is he a great athlete, but his above-average arm length will also endear him to teams that covet size.
Robinson started 32 games at Tulsa and had a career year in 2019, recording 17 pass deflections and four interceptions. He was named a first-team All-AAC player and performed well against good competition such as Oklahoma State, Michigan State, and Memphis.
Robinson will need some time to develop in the NFL, but his athleticism combined with his production makes him an intriguing pick late in the third round. Don’t be surprised if Robinson outproduces several more prominent names at cornerback are selected ahead of him.
3. Amik Robertson, Lousiana Tech
You can make a really strong case that Amik Robertson was the best cornerback in college football last season. By raw production alone, he recorded 21 pass deflections, eight tackles for a loss, and conference-high of five interceptions. In his three-year career at Louisana Tech, he tallied 23 tackles for a loss, four sacks, and an incredible 14 interceptions.
The advanced numbers support that case even further as he had PFF’s highest-grade in the following coverage situations:
- Single Coverage (91.9)
- Versus Clean-Pocket Throws (92.6)
- Versus Obvious Passing Situations (91)
- Versus Contested-Catch Situations (98.3)
Robertson has two big knocks against him. He’s very small for the position (5’8, 187 pounds), and he has a significant injury history. He wasn’t able to work out at the NFL Combine due to a groin injury, and that is just one of several issues in his medical history.
If Robertson was fully healthy, he would still be a lock to go in the top-two rounds due to his production and play-making ability. However, the injury concerns could knock him down to the latter stages of the third round. If that is the case, the Raiders could find a star cornerback late on the second day of the draft. This is one of the biggest potential sleepers in the entire draft.
