DONE DEAL: Raiders have signed Cowboys CB over $150 million

Raiders Pressed to Sign a CB with 115 career starts or a former DPOY

The Las Vegas Raiders should have a clearer understanding of the quality of their cornerback group when they engage in structured team exercises. The club has discussed the need for a cornerback throughout the offseason, but they haven’t taken many concrete steps to solve it.

That may be because they’re hoping to bring in a seasoned free agent. Many talented cornerbacks are still available in free agency. Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder feels that the Raiders should sign Steven Nelson or Stephon Gilmore.

In a post published on May 25, Holder stated, “The Athletic’s Tashan Reed reported that Las Vegas began OTAs with Brandon Facyson and Jakorian Bennett getting the first-team reps at cornerback.” “Due to an injury, Facson missed the most of the previous season, and Bennett started the season as a starter before moving to the bench.

“Granted, those two were are expected to battle it out for the other starting spot opposite of Jack Jones, who sat out of practice this week with an injury, per Reed. But Jones also lacks starting experience, giving the Raiders a need for a proven No. 1 corner and Nelson or Gilmore would be the front office’s best options at this stage in the game.”

Stephon Gilmore or Steven Nelson?

Out of the two cornerbacks Holder listed as fits for the Raiders, Gilmore is the more decorated. He was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2019 and is a five-time Pro Bowler. He’s 33 now which is around the age when cornerbacks start to lose a step. Gilmore isn’t the player he once was but has proven he can still be a dependable starter. He started all 17 games for a top-five Dallas Cowboys defense last season.

Nelson doesn’t have the accolades that Gimore has but he’s certainly no slouch. He’s started in 115 career games for four different teams; most recently with the Houston Texans. He’s never been a Pro Bowler but has carved out a starting role on every team he’s played for. He’s also a bit younger than Gilmore at 31.