Heading into free agency, cornerback was one position [most of] Raider Nation had their eyes set on. A player such as D.J. Reed, Carlton Davis, Byron Murphy or Charvarius Ward joining the Las Vegas Raiders was a dream scenario for many fans, giving the Silver and Black a big name in the cornerback room.
But, that doesn’t seem to be in the cards. And, more than that, it seems such a move was never high on the priority list to begin with.
Perhaps it shouldn’t be, either.
It would certainly make sense that Patrick Graham is content with the group of cornerbacks currently on Sin City’s roster. After all, Graham has been able to have plentiful success with both Jakorian Bennett and Jack Jones holding down the outside spots.
The same Jakorian Bennett who struggled mightily in 2023, but showcased his raw talents in a way that made Las Vegas’ staff remain excited about what they had in their young cornerback. That paid off in a big way this past season as Bennett allowed a completion percentage of 48.6% when targeted, in addition to a forced incompletion percentage of 22%.
Both of those marks ranked third-highest among all cornerbacks in the NFL with at least 250 coverage snaps in 2024.
Similarly, cornerback Decamerion Richardson, who had his fair share of rookie struggles, is preparing for Year 2 as a pro. Richardson broke up three passes as a rookie, allowing a completion percentage of 66.7% when targeted. One can compare this to Bennett’s first year in the National Football League, where the Maryland alum allowed a completion percentage of 65.6% on throws his way while breaking up three passes himself.
Why Pete Carroll and Patrick Graham may be fond of the current Las Vegas Raiders CB group
When it comes to Decamerion Richardson, he and fan-favorite cornerback Jakorion Bennett are about as comparable as two players can possibly be. For more reasons than their eerily similar rookie campaigns, too.
Richardson, like Bennett, is a speedy, physical cornerback who prioritizes sure-fired pass breakups over risking completions for interceptions. During what was his final season in college, Bennett forced nine incompletions while notching only two interceptions. Similarly, Richardson broke up seven passes during his final collegiate campaign, although he failed to take a pass the other way.
The two corners are great at using their 195-pound bodies—a weight Bennett and Richardson share—as a means to dominate physically. Their identical weight and playstyles aren’t the end of the similarities, either.
While Bennett recorded a 4.30 40-yard dash time, Richardson was close behind with a time of 4.34. The arm lengths are similar as well, with Bennett’s recorded arm length being 31 7/8″ while Richardson measured in at 32 3/8″. Both players managed to secure a 1.48 10-yard split time, even.
With all of this in mind, it’s easy to understand why coaches in Las Vegas would be excited about what 6-foot-2 Decamerion Richardson offers the Raiders. Just as they were excited about what Jakorian Bennett offered, despite his struggles as a rookie in the NFL.
Just think: If Sin City added another starting cornerback to play opposite of Jack Jones last offseason, we wouldn’t have seen the tremendous growth from Bennett this past season. And, as such, we wouldn’t be talking about how the Las Vegas Raiders have a legitimate starting cornerback on their hands.
As for Jack Jones..
Jones has gotten heat from Raider Nation for giving up his fair share of big plays, but it’s the nature of the type of cornerback he is. The traditional ballhawk cornerback who gambles for turnovers.
Fans may think of Marcus Peters or Trevon Diggs, for example, who also fit this mold.
Although the second-year Raider gave up a team-high 10 touchdowns per Pro Football Focus, he also forced a team-high 11 incompletions. With three interceptions, no player on the team took more passes the other way in 2024 than Jack Jones.
These things led the 27-year-old to an allowed completion percentage of 65.9%; the third-lowest among all defensive backs in Sin City who were targeted at least 10 times this past season.
Unfortunately for Jones, the focus has been on the plays he’s given up as opposed to those he’s made. And, to be truthful, when you’re allowing double-digit touchdowns in one season, it’s understandable why that is.
But that doesn’t take away from the fact Jack Jones is adept at making plays on the football, even if it means he’ll give up a big play or two for every big-time play he makes. From that lens, it’s easy to see why Patrick Graham would enjoy having a player such as this in his secondary.
There’s still a need at slot cornerback, but that shouldn’t be too much of a worry. It’s easy enough to find a player who specializes in this role in today’s day and age being that slot play has become such an integral part of football.
Still, a slot defender of Nate Hobbs‘ caliber isn’t easy to find. That’s why he earned a four-year, $48 million contract, after all.
*Top Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images
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