As far as the starting cornerback duo in Sin City goes, there’s plenty to be excited about. The tandem of Jakorian Bennett and Darien Porter bring instincts, ball skills, and top-tier athletic ability. However, the two also bring a shared inexperience that may hinder the Las Vegas Raiders’ secondary this upcoming season. That’s where Jalen Ramsey and Jaire Alexander come in.
For Bennett, his ’24 campaign welcomed high-level coverage both on tape and on the stat sheet. The 24-year-old allowed 43.5% of passes his way to be completed, the fifth-lowest percentage among all cornerbacks league-wide with 20-plus balls thrown their way, while personally forcing an incompletion percentage of 30%, the highest at his position among all players who were tested at least 20 times.
And while all the above is certainly positive, to say the least, the inexperience with Bennett remains undeniable. For reference, the Maryland alum has started only 11 contests up to this point, having more outings of struggle than those of success.
11 games as a starting cornerback may not be very many, but in comparison to Porter, it’s veteran-esque. That’s because Porter, during his entire collegiate career, has one-half year of starting cornerback experience under his belt.
Now, it should be understood that inexperience does not automatically mean struggle is on the horizon. But, needless to say, it does open up the window for such struggle–especially when that inexperience is shared throughout the starting unit.
It’s a risk that the Raiders are faced with. One that wouldn’t exist with the addition of either Jalen Ramsey or Jaire Alexander.
Options galore for Las Vegas Raiders with Jalen Ramsey, Jaire Alexander available
Of the two options, Ramsey seems to be the favorable one among fans of the Silver and Black. A seven-time Pro Bowler who once famously said he practically begged to be a Raider, the thought of adding such an accomplished player is one that many of Raider Nation can’t get out of their heads.
This past season, Ramsey allowed a career-high completion percentage of 70.8%. That, combined with a career-high missed tackle rate of 19.4% in 2024, may be cause for concern with the soon-to-be 31-year-old.
With the way Ramsey’s current contract situation is, the nine-year veteran is under contract until the 2029 offseason. In the event a team trades for Ramsey, they will inherit his long-term contractual obligations.
Since 2021, Ramsey has allowed a completion percentage north of 63% in three-of-four seasons. On the flip side, the three-time first-team All-Pro has accumulated 13 interceptions in this timespan, notching at least two each campaign.
That’s something the Las Vegas Raiders could use in a big way.
Then there’s Jaire Alexander, who, as of today, is officially a free agent.
That’s a big deal, because, unlike Ramsey, there is no big deal–feel free to take a second to applaud that pun. Consider, as a free agent, the Raiders are able to bring Alexander in on any deal that they see fit. Not one that they’re stuck paying until the 2029 offseason.
Oh; and no assets are given up to do so, either.
A financially responsible approach
The question with Jaire has never been about his talents. A two-time All-Pro who’s nothing short of a physically elite cornerback, Alexander has been one of the top cornerbacks in the National Football League each and every season he’s been healthy.
That last part has always been the question with Jaire–his durability.
It’s now been two years in a row that Alexander has failed to appear in at least eight contests. And while the 28-year-old did hit the field in 16 contests during his ’22 campaign, he mustered up only four on-field appearances in 2021.
What’s that old adage we’ve all heard countless times by now? The best ability is availability.
But when Alexander is available, he’s as good as it gets. This past season, for example, the now-former Green Bay Packers cornerback allowed a completion percentage of 56.0%. He was able to take two passes the other way while breaking up an additional would-be completion.
And while he didn’t total any interceptions during his seven-game stretch in 2023, he was able to get his hands on six passes.
During his last healthy campaign, back in 2022, Alexander was responsible for five interceptions with another three balls batted away. With a 60.6% completion percentage surrendered on 71 passes his way, the Louisville alum showed how upper-echelon cornerbacks handle high-volume targets.
The tackling hasn’t been great for Alexander either, however.
In 2024, Jaire’s missed tackle percentage was an alarming 20%. It wasn’t much better in 2023, either, with a mark of 18.2%.
Be that as it may, the two-time Pro Bowler has shown his tackling is of little worry when healthy. That was evident in 2022 when he missed only 9.5% of his tackle attempts.
So, Raider Nation; which option do you prefer? The longtime dominance from Jalen Ramsey that comes with a hefty price-tag, or the physically elite presence of Jaire Alexander who’s struggled to stay healthy?
Let us know your thoughts.
*Top Photo: Getty Images
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