The Oakland Raiders have a few more weeks until they have to cut down to 53-players, but there are a few positions on the roster that are already going to be challenging to project.
One such position is at cornerback, where the team has excellent depth. With Gareon Conley, Trayvon Mullen and Daryl Worley considered locks to make the roster, that leaves a battle between former fourth-round picks Isaiah Johnson and Nick Nelson.
While Johnson has struggled to stay healthy, Nelson hasn’t been great when he has played either. But which one will be on the outside looking in come September? In a recent article by Vic Tafur of The Athletic, he projected the Raiders to release Nelson in favor of Johnson. Take a look at his thoughts:
Gruden talked up Nelson as a rookie slot corner last year and again at the start of this training camp. I just don’t see it, and the coaches have to think that Johnson has a higher ceiling. Since safety Lamarcus Joyner is playing slot corner this season, there is no reason to keep more than four corners.
While it is true that Joyner can and will likely play the slot position this season, there wouldn’t be another viable slot option on the roster if Nelson is released. But given Johnson is deemed at having the higher upside, look for Nelson to be a surprise cut in a few weeks.
