Oakland Raiders: Examining strengths, concerns going into 2018 season

OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 08: Marshawn Lynch #24 of the Oakland Raiders celebrates with Kelechi Osemele #70 after scoring in the third quarter against the Baltimore Ravens during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 8, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

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LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 18: Malcolm Brown #34 of the Los Angeles Rams eludes Rashaan Melvin #22 of the Oakland Raiders during the first half of a preseason game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on August 18, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Strength: Upgrades and Depth at Cornerback

Clearly, the new regime made an effort to upgrade the cornerback position. Last season, David Amerson and Sean Smith started Week 1 on the perimeter. Rashaan Melvin and Gareon Conley replace them this year.

Melvin comes off his best season with 13 pass breakups and three interceptions. Conley has flashed in very short glimpses during his rookie campaign and the preseason. Now, he’s finally available to play. Neither cornerback has started through a full 16-game season. Both landed on injured reserve in 2017. Melvin suffered a hand injury, and Conley underwent surgery on his shin.

Team brass deserves credit for loading up at the position, acquiring rookie Nick Nelson in the fourth round and signing Daryl Worley as well as Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.

Worley will serve a four-game suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, but he’s an insurance policy for Melvin or Conley in case either goes down with an injury. Nelson flashed throughout the preseason for his ability to track the ball in the air and break up passes. Rodgers-Cromartie offers versatility; he can play in the slot or on the boundary. The 32-year old logged six interceptions and 21 pass breakups just two years ago with the New York Giants.

If it takes some time for the Raiders to generate a decent pass rush, the defense will at least have solid cornerbacks capable of maintaining tight coverage downfield. Secondly, if the injury bug bites Melvin or Conley, Guenther has some quality backup options.

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