The Las Vegas Raiders decided to bring back cornerback Daryl Worley to help shore up a depleted secondary. He’s familiar with the team, yes, but it only shows management made a mistake in the offseason.
Injuries and COVID-19 have decimated the Silver and Black but in particular the defensive backfield. We can’t even remember the last time that all of the projected starters played together, it’s been a carousel so far. Rookie Damon Arnette has been injured, concussed, and infected by the virus in 2020. Johnathan Abram has missed time as well, all in all, Worley’s signing indicates something else.
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The Raiders shouldn’t have released CB Prince Amukamara
Raiders brass signed veteran cornerback Prince Amukamara in the offseason to help shore up the defensive backfield. The former Super Bowl champion was going to hold down a starting job while Arnette developed. Instead, it appeared that the Raiders were comfortable rolling with the Ohio State standout as the starter. He’s been solid yes, but has he been the shutdown corner that Jon Gruden had hoped for? Well, it’s too early to tell. However, the point is that Amukamara could’ve provided solid depth. Is anyone out there actually going to say Worley is better than Amukamara?
Current Raiders management has made some gaffes in 2020, such as drafting Lynn Bowden Jr., signing Marcus Mariota, and releasing Amukamara should be up there as well.
Comparing the two cornerbacks
Worley is a serviceable corner at best, which doesn’t really bode well when you consider what the squad would’ve had with Amukamara. Worley, who’s played with Dallas and Buffalo this year, has given up a 72.7 completion percentage and three touchdowns in 2020. Amukamara has been with the Arizona Cardinals practice squad this season since the team released him. In 2019, he gave up a 66.2 completion percentage on 71 targets. Meanwhile, Worley has allowed a 72.7 completion percent on 11 targets in 2020.
You can definitely make the argument that Worley’s younger and by that logic, faster than Amukamara. Unfortunately, speed isn’t everything, Amukamara brought playoff and championship pedigree, though Worley was in the playoffs back in 2017. As it stands right now, the Raiders made the wrong choice in cutting Amukamara unless Worley shows up big these next few games. In the end, no front office is perfect and the Raiders have certainly made some questionable decisions in 2020.
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