Oakland Raiders: 4 UDFA’s Who Could Make The 53-Man Roster

Oct 18, 2014; Provo, UT, USA; Nevada Wolf Pack running back James Butler (20) reaches for the end zone against Brigham Young Cougars defensive back Robertson Daniel (4) during the second half at Lavell Edwards Stadium. Nevada Wolf Pack won the game 42-35. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports

Robertson Daniel – Defensive Back

The Raiders need help at the cornerback position. More accurately, they need depth. Having let Carlos Rogers and Tarell Brown walk away as free agents, McKenzie has committed the team to going with D.J. Hayden and Travis Carrie as the starting corner tandem.

The trouble with that is that although both have flashed some incredibly impressive skills, and both look like they could man the position – and man it well – for some time to come, Carrie is still by and large, unproven. He has thirteen games in the league – with four starts – under his belt. And that’s it as far as experience goes.

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Hayden on the other hand, has dealt with injury after injury, after injury. In his two seasons with Oakland, Hayden has started a total of ten games because of injury. He’s more than capable to be a solid NFL corner, he just can’t seem to stay healthy.

Beyond Hayden and Carrie, the cornerback position is woefully thin. Neiko Thorpe, James Dockery, and Keith McGill round out the cornerback group – which isn’t exactly the most intimidating in the league. Oakland used a seventh round pick in the draft to bring in Dexter McDonald, but he’s far from a sure thing – he’s not even a lock to make the roster.

Daniel is going to get a long look, and be given every shot to make the roster, simply because there is a very pressing need at the position. In two seasons at BYU, Daniel recorded 110 tackles, and hauled in three interceptions.

At 6’1”, 205 lbs., he is the larger bodied corner that is the trend around the league right now. But he is quick, and does have decent instincts for the ball.

It wouldn’t be surprising to see Daniel make the 53-man roster, where he will do a lot on special teams. He would be there as an insurance policy – one the Raiders hope they never have to cash in.

Next: Josh Harper