Oakland Raiders Sticking With Youth At Cornerback

The Oakland Raiders have been very active in the free agent market this offseason. They have addressed several positions of need on defense including safety, linebacker, and defensive tackle. The only position they have not addressed on the defensive side of the ball is cornerback. Last season Reggie McKenzie brought in veteran corners Carlos Rogers and Tarell Brown but they were injury prone and ineffective when healthy.

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This season they have not brought in any veteran corners despite several being available including former Green Bay Packer Tramon Williams who signed with the Browns. It is possible that McKenzie is waiting for the veteran cuts on June 1st to bring in some more talent but the team appears to be set on developing their young cornerbacks.

Head Coach Jack Del Rio said, according to Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com, that he will be focusing on developing the young players at corner. Del Rio said, ” As a staff coming in and evaluating, we felt like that was one of the more talented positions that needed to develop. Certainly staying healthy will be important for DJ. Carrie played well in his role. We feel like that group has a chance to develop beyond where they are. There are pretty solid young guys right there that we look forward to working with and helping them play at a higher level.”

Dec 21, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders cornerback T.J. Carrie (38) knocks down a pass intended for Buffalo Bills wide receiver Chris Hogan (15) in the first quarter at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

DJ Hayden has improved tremendously after a rough rookie season in which he played just 8 games but he still has had trouble staying healthy. He has played just 18 games in two seasons but has shown growth after being torched regularly in his first season. Hayden will be expected to make a leap worthy of his top five pick status and this is the season that he must show that he is capable of being a top corner.

Seventh round rookie TJ Carrie was a pleasant surprise for the Raiders as he stepped in for the injured Brown and Rogers and played very well. The Raiders have had success with DBs out of Ohio University and he has played well enough to compete for a starting spot. Carrie had an interception and a forced fumble last season and he will look to build on those numbers in his second season.

Special teamer Taiwan Jones is also an interesting player as he has shown his ability to be a premier gunner but has not been tested much as a defensive back. Jones reportedly put on 25 pounds of muscle this offseason and will come in to the season fighting for a place in the defensive backfield. He was drafted as a running back because of his 4.2 speed but could be a wild card for the Oakland defense this season.

With two new DB coaches in former All-Pro Marcus Robertson and Hall of Famer Rod Woodson the young Raiders DBs have plenty of experience to learn from. Not to mention the future Hall of Famer roaming the backfield in Charles Woodson. Leadership will not be an issue with this group of young studs and what was thought to be a position of weakness could end up being a strength for the Oakland Raiders defense.

Next: Oakland Raiders Making Defense a Priority This Offseason

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