The Las Vegas Raiders have focused heavily on their secondary throughout the offseason.
Losing safety Tre’Von Moehrig to the Carolina Panthers and cornerback Nate Hobbs to the Green Bay Packers were both tough blows to start free agency. The Raiders have done their best to add depth, bringing in safeties Jeremy Chinn and Lonnie Johnson Jr., as well as cornerback Eric Stokes, to help out. That said, one thing that remains clear is Las Vegas still has some work to do to get their pass defense in fighting shape.
With a clear question mark heading into the draft, the Raiders now get the chance to look at every option at their disposal.
A couple of interesting cornerback prospects should grab the Raiders’ attention.
Pro Football Focus’ Jordan Plocher named a Day One and Day Three option for the Raiders to help their cornerback situation, starting with Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron as the early-round solution.
“Barron put up a 91.1 PFF coverage grade last season, the highest in the draft class,” wrote Plocher. “His ability to excel both outside and in the slot would give the Raiders a versatile, high-level playmaker in the secondary.”
While Barron has been one of my personal favorite prospects in this class, he does not seem like a viable choice for the Raiders in the first round.
Barron is currently projected as a mid-first round selection, whereas the Raiders have the sixth overall pick. Barring a serious trade down, the Raiders would likely choose the best player available. As enticing as Barron would be to shore up the secondary in some capacity, drafting him at six feels like a reach.
Plocher’s Day Three option is much more attainable for the Raiders, however, as he highlights Rutgers cornerback Robert Longerbeam.
“Longerbeam, a sudden and fleet-footed corner who didn’t allow a single completion on a slant route in 2024, played outside in college but has the skill set to transition to the slot at the next level,” added Plocher.
It is fitting that Plocher mentions the slot as a good fit for Longerbeam, as the departure of Hobbs left that spot wide open.
Despite adding Stokes and Johnson, the Raiders have yet to find a true replacement for Hobbs. Darnay Holmes and Sam Webb are currently projected to battle for the starting job there, but both profile more as veteran depth than guys that can be relied upon consistently. Adding Longerbeam to the picture provides heavy competition, and he would have a clear-cut path to significant snaps if he develops properly.
Barron and Longerbeam are likely just two cornerbacks the Raiders have on their draft radar, but it is worth keeping tabs on them.
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