After a disappointing 2016 season, Oakland Raiders cornerbackSean Smith’s future was a major question, but a position-switch may bring stability.
The Oakland Raiders made big waves last offseason when they signed Sean Smith. It took a four-year, $40 million deal to steal Smith away from AFC West rival Kansas City. This move made a lot of pundits say that the Raiders defense was going to be a major force in the 2016 season.
Smith’s signing didn’t pan out, though. Smith was horrendous in 2016 at the cornerback position. Raiders fans consistently watched him give up touchdowns and blow plays. In Smith’s first game with the Raiders, he was benched for giving up a 98-yard touchdown.
It doesn’t appear that much has changed for Smith during the offseason either. Despite still being listed as the starting cornerback, Smith has spent the last several days practicing with the second-team defense.
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Many believed the demotion was an attempt from head coach Jack Del Rio to motivate Smith. Others believed that Smith was actually set to lose his job due to the young talent of Gareon Conley and Breon Borders.
However, now it appears another option is possible. Smith took reps at the starting nickel linebacker slot. It is definitely possible that Smith’s reps at linebacker were fairly meaningless. Smith might still be the starting cornerback Week 1 or could be cut by the Raiders before then. If Smith does become a nickel linebacker, though, it could lead to an interesting defensive backfield.
One of Smith’s biggest problems last season was that Oakland’s defense doesn’t use a lot of the press-defense that Smith made a name for himself with in Kansas City. Raiders fans remember Smith for getting burned by Brandin Cooks for a 98-yard touchdown in Week 1.
But what Smith lacks in top-end speed, he makes up in physicality and power. He might not be able to cover the insane speed of players like Cooks, but I think it is fair to say we are all interested how he would fare against a tight end like Travis Kelce.
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Smith is slightly undersized for the nickel linebacker spot, but he has consistently shown strength for his size during his career. If this move is successful, Smith could go from being a major question for the Raiders to being the asset they hoped for, albeit on a different spot on the field.