Oakland Raiders: How to add cornerback help in the first three rounds
The Oakland Raiders need cornerback help, that is obvious. With the 2018 NFL Draft quickly approaching, it is time to take a look at how the team can improve at the position in each of the first three rounds.
There are numerous old adages that you hear in the NFL every year.
“The best defense is a good offense.”
“Play one game at a time.”
“Great teams are built through the draft.”
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Of all of these chichés we have heard a million times, none reign more true than, “Defense wins
championships.” This saying has stood the test of time as even today we see the best teams in the league often built around an elite defense.
Just look at last season for example. Of the final four playoff teams, all but the New England Patriots had top tier defenses. The Minnesota Vikings, Jacksonville Jaguars and Philadelphia Eagles possessed the first, second, and fourth ranked scoring defenses, respectively.
The winning formula is apparent, and every team should be looking to duplicate it.
The Oakland Raiders are a ways away from owning an elite defense of their own, but if handled correctly, the 2018 NFL Draft can get them far closer to accomplishing this goal.
When constructing a defense, the secondary is perhaps the most important part given today’s pass heavy league. If secondary is the most important part of a defense, then cornerback is the most important part of the secondary, and cornerback is a position that the Oakland Raiders need to strengthen during the draft.
While it is clear that the team must draft a corner at some point, the presence of other glaring needs makes the round in which the team should make this selection far less clear.
The team should definitely look to improve the position before the third round of the NFL Draft concludes, but there will be great options at the position in each of these rounds. Depending on the talent available at other positions when the team drafts, it is realistic that the team makes a cornerback selection in any of those rounds.
With that being said, let’s look at what options will be available in the first three rounds.