Oakland Raiders: McKenzie Would Be Wise To Lock Amerson Up Now

The Oakland Raiders made what turned out to be a very savvy move in picking up David Amerson last season – now they need to make another one by locking him up with an extension.

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When the Oakland Raiders picked David Amerson up after Washington cut him after two games last season, it didn’t move the needle with most people all that much. After all, most people figured that Washington cut him for a reason and Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie had a couple of screws loose for signing him. Turns out that McKenzie had the last laugh as Amerson rewarded the Raiders with some of the best cornerback play the team has had in years.

In less than a full season, Amerson became the type of lockdown cornerback the Raiders had hoped they were getting when they drafted D.J. Hayden back in 2013. Amerson’s numbers over 14 games – including 12 starts – were fantastic. And he was exactly what a beat up, downtrodden, secondary filled with more holes than Swiss cheese needed.

But the 24 year old Amerson is not one to rest on his laurels.

"“You have to put last year behind you and improve as a player. I can’t act like I know everything, because I know I don’t. There are a lot of areas where I need to improve. I need to invest time in those areas and continue to work and produce results.”"

Perhaps the stigma of being released by Washington – a team not known for stellar cornerback play – led opposing teams to throw Amerson’s way with frequency last season. Which turned out to be a bad move for them. Of the 109 passes Amerson saw, he gave up 61 receptions (56 percent completion rate) for an overall average of 11.5 yards per completion.

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Amerson also gave up just two touchdowns while picking off four balls. He was also credited with a league leading 27 passes defensed and a forced fumble last year. Simply put, Amerson was a force of nature in Oakland’s defensive backfield last year and gave the Raiders something they’ve desperately needed for years now – solid and reliable cornerback play.

Which is why, with Amerson playing out his rookie deal and looking at unrestricted free agency following this season, McKenzie would be wise to start negotiating a contract extension with Amerson’s people sooner rather than later.

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The Raiders look to have one of the fiercest front sevens in all of football this year. And with the newly acquired Sean Smith, Reggie Nelson, and Karl Joseph, they could have one of the more formidable secondaries in the NFL as well. And it would be smart, based on his pretty sterling play in 2015, to lock Amerson up and keep him with this group.

Having productive, dynamic cornerback play is essential in today’s pass happy NFL. With teams throwing as often as they do these days, having a pair of corners to lock down their receivers is critical. Hence the reason they brought in Smith – he has a proven track record of solid cornerback play. And as good as he is, even Smith is impressed with what he’s seen from Amerson.

"“He’s one of the most athletic people I’ve ever met. D.A. can make all the cuts, all the breaks. I’m definitely looking forward to working with him.”"

From a crude, callous, financial standpoint, McKenzie would do better to begin negotiating now. Should Amerson have a monster year, who knows how high his value would get jacked up on the open market. Whereas, if McKenzie began working on an extension now, they might be able to retain his services at a more – reasonable rate.

Right now, the Raiders have something they haven’t had in a very, very long time – a pair of difference making, ball hawking, lockdown type cornerbacks. Smith and Amerson are going to make life difficult on opposing quarterbacks, and they may just make them hesitate a moment longer than necessary, which will allow the pass rush to be that much more effective.

Amerson was a feel good story last season. But he’s proven his worth and given the fact that he’s still so young, has such a high ceiling, is motivated, eager to learn, and has the sort of drive and passion you want in your players, the Raiders would do very well to keep him in the fold.

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The Raiders caught a lucky break when they were able to pick Amerson up. Now, they just need to cash in that lucky ticket by working out a longer term deal with him – because if they delay, the price of that lucky ticket may get a lot higher.