About a week into NFL free agency, the Oakland Raiders have broken out their checkbooks. Adding to the offensive line and receiving corps has helped bolster the Raiders roster, but there are still some gaping holes on defense, especially in the secondary.
The Raiders secondary gave up over 246 passing yards a game last season while allowing a 101.0 opposing passer rating. Its no secret the Raiders are in serious need of some help in the secondary.
The team added veteran safety Lamarcus Joyner early in free agency, but they’ll still need some help across from Gareon Conley at cornerback if they want to hang with Patrick Mahomes and Phillip Rivers.
With corners getting bought off the board in free agency, it’s looking likely that the Raiders will need to add a cornerback or two in the draft.
The 2019 cornerback class, however, is a murky on. But there are still several talented corners available that have starting potential. Even without a clear cut No.1 cornerback, there are even a few projects that have the traits to be molded into a starting cornerback, but it’s going to take some development.
Who could fit across Conley with the Raiders next season? Let’s take a look at few names the Raiders could be interested in during the 2019 NFL Draft:
Byron Murphy, Washington
Like a lot of Washington defensive backs, Byron Murphy is a gritty player that should be the first corner off the board in April. Remember how I said this is a murky cornerback class? Well, Murphy is probably one of the only can’t miss corners available in 2019.
Murphy has solid man coverage talent with feisty ball skills. Murphy has the size to play on the outside but can fit in nicely as a slot corner if needed. With the NFL’s ever-growing passing attack Murphy’s versatility to play all over the field is a positive trait to have.
Murphy doesn’t have any eye-popping physical traits— he’s not ultra fast and doesn’t have overwhelming size, but he’s a very cerebral and intuitive player that will make up for any negatives with his unique instincts.
If the Raiders decide to add Murphy with one of the later first round picks, they’ll have an elite young 1-2 punch with him and Conley to help slow down the Chiefs and Chargers.
Rock Ya-Sin, Temple
Temple’s Rock Ya-Sin has been tabbed as one of the biggest risers in the pre-draft process. He’s as physical as they come and isn’t afraid to play a little rough. Ya-Sin’s game screams Raider nation. He plays with attitude and has the athleticism to back it up.
Ya-Sin is still very raw as a prospect, but he seems to improve with every rep. Ya-Sin stood out in Mobile at the Senior Bowl with a great week of practice that he parlayed into a solid combine performance
If the Raiders strike out on a cornerback in the first round, Ya-Sin could be the answer in the second round.
Kendall Sheffield, Ohio State
Before the combine was underway, Kendall Sheffield from Ohio State was the odds on favorite to run the fastest 40 time. A pectoral injury prevented Sheffield from running, but there’s no doubt Sheffield’s speed is for real.
The Raiders secondary doesn’t have a ton of speed, and Sheffield could solve that. Sheffield’s footwork is still raw, but he can make up for anything with his elite speed.
Sheffield’s athletic ability paired with the right coaching makes him a unique target that could develop into a starting-caliber corner. Plus, we know how much the Raiders organization values speed. Al Davis may be gone, but love for speed lives on with the Silver and Black.
Sheffield needs to be a name Raider fans get familiar with.
Jordan Wyatt, Southern Methodist
SMU’s Jordan Wyatt is the sleeper of the 2019 cornerback class. Wyatt was one of the most underrated ballhawks in all over college football. He had seven interceptions and eight forced fumbles in his career at SMU. He is the all-time leading defensive touchdown scorer in SMU history with seven defensive scores.
The Raiders have seriously struggled with creating turnovers and scoring on defense. As a team, they had only one defensive touchdown last season.
Wyatt can also bring leadership to the Raiders defense— he was voted captain at SMU over his career. Lastly, Wyatt was a Pro Football Focus darling earning grades of 82.9 and 86.5 in back-to-back seasons. In 2017, Wyatt received a 96.0 pass rush grade and an 85.9 coverage grade.
Wyatt could be stolen late in the draft and immediately make an impact even if it’s on special teams at first.
