With free agency a month away, it’s time to check in on the Raiders’ cornerback position to give it a condition of either Strong, Stable, Unstable, Serious, or Critical.
Starters: Jack Jones, Jakorian Bennett
Backups: DeCamerion Richardson, Sam Webb, Kyu Blu Kelly, MJ Devonshire, Keenan Isaac
Free agents: Nate Hobbs, Darnay Holmes
Jones, Bennett, and Hobbs were the team’s starting trio to begin last season. Bennett was looking like he was a bonafide starting outside cornerback before he was lost to injury at midseason. Hobbs was lost a week later. Jones was healthy much of the season and had some nice moments including a team leading three interceptions, returning one for a touchdown.
Condition: Serious
The primary serious task here is re-signing Hobbs. He is their top cornerback and one of the better nickel corners in the league with a rare combination of coverage ability in the slot and run stop abilities. Jones had an up and down season and it’s hard to say how he’ll perform without his former high school and college coach Antonio Pierce gone. They didn’t get much from any of their backups that would signal there is anyone ready to step up.