The Las Vegas Raiders had a leaky secondary in 2019. For that reason, it wasn’t a surprising to see them upgrade their cornerback group this past offseason. After all the additions they made, their revamped cornerback unit will have a different look and should produce better results in 2020.
After two seasons and a half, the Raiders finally gave up on 2017 first round pick Gareon Conley. While he didn’t play exceptionally well, the rest of their cornerback group wasn’t any better outside of then rookie Trayvon Mullen. Daryl Worley was inconsistent and didn’t re-sign with the team. Isaiah Johnson and Keisean Nixon hardly saw playing time either. Also, slot corner Lamarcus Joyner failed to make the impact Las Vegas expected when they inked him in 2019.
The Raiders knew they needed to better their cornerback room and they took to action this past offseason. First, they drafted Damon Arnette and Amik Robertson. Later, they added Prince Amukamara after their deal with Eli Apple went awry. Based on how the returning corners fared last year, the team’s new corner will have a strong chance to take the field.
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New Faces, Different Results
In a recent article the Raiders posted on their official website, they discussed the improvement they hope their cornerback group can achieve in 2020.
Last year, the Raiders finished 29th in the league in interceptions with nine and were -2 in turnover differential. With more pressure from the defensive line and added depth at cornerback, I’m predicting the team finishes with 14 interceptions and a turnover differential of +5.
On one hand, moving up from 29th in interceptions won’t be hard. The Raiders secondary would have to implode to rank lower than 29th. Although they didn’t devote much money to the position, the team allocated draft capital to the position this past draft (and the one before). Mullen, Johnson and Nixon should continue their development while Arnette and Roberts get used to the NFL. For Amukamara, this should be close to a rinse-and-repeat kind of process. He’s been in the league for nine years. As long as he keep playing at the level he has in the last few years, he should have a significant role in 2020.
The Raiders cornerback group should definitely produce better results this upcoming season. Between the team’s 2020 additions and their sophomores taking the next step in their development, the potential is there. They have put in the resources off the field, it’s now time to see results on the field.
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Top Photo: Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal