Oakland Raiders: 5 Potential 2019 NFL Draft targets to watch

Deandre Baker, Cornerback, Georgia

We have three years of collegiate tape and 92 NFL snaps that suggest cornerback Gareon Conley will develop into a starting-caliber player. It’s optimism with uncertainty. Rashaan Melvin experienced the best season in his four-year career on his fourth team (the Indianapolis Colts) in 2017. Will he put together an encore in Oakland? Again, there’s ambiguity.

Among the Raiders’ top three projected cornerbacks, Daryl Worley actually brings the most experience as a starter in the league with 25 appearances in a feature role. Will he keep his name out of unflattering headlines after authorities in Philadelphia charged him with six offenses?

Fourth-rounder Nick Nelson also joins the secondary. At the moment, he’s still recovering from a meniscus injury:

On the bright side, the Raiders cornerback group looks a lot better than the last year. If two of the top three guys stick, it’s a significant upgrade.

However, in this league, you need three solid cornerbacks. Since the position remains fluid with two of the top three players on one-year deals, it wouldn’t hurt to keep an eye on Georgia prospect Deandre Baker.

Baker doesn’t have numbers that jump off the screen like double-digit pass breakups or a handful of interceptions, but he’s provided air-tight coverage when targeted over the past two seasons, per Pro Football Focus:

Quarterbacks prefer to look in the opposite direction when they see Baker on the left side. Nonetheless, as Georgia’s lead cover man, he’s shown enough to suggest teams will covet him in the upcoming draft. He contemplated coming out as an underclassman. Another year should serve him well and solidify his spot among the top 2019 prospects.

The Raiders may hit the jackpot on veterans and their rookie at cornerback, but let’s not count on guys before they prove their spot on the field. It’s a message Gruden has sent through the widespread competition at various positions. Don’t expect handouts to unproven talents with potential without production.

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For the most part, the players on Oakland’s 53-man roster would have earned their spots. And even then, there’s always someone coming up in case they lose a step. It’s why the draft comes around every year with several picks. Nothing is ever set in stone. Injuries, contract disputes, regression and progression factor into molding a roster.

The five prospects listed above may not be available to the Raiders if they win enough games in 2018. However, you never take your eyes off a talent who can immediately contribute. There’s always room for good football players.