Oakland Raiders: 5 players to watch in training camp

3. Isaiah Johnson

Cornerback is another position on the Raiders roster where the team will have to make some tough cuts.

With Gareon Conley, Daryl Worley, Lamarcus Joyner & Trayvon Mullen locks to make the final roster, Isaiah Johnson, Nevin Lawson, Nick Nelson, Isaiah Langley & Dylan Mabin will be the main guys battling for the last couple of spots.

It’s, of course, a safe bet to think Johnson is going to make the final roster. The Houston product was selected in the fourth round this year and the team obviously knew he was raw and would need time to develop.

But it will be interesting to see where on the depth chart he falls, how much his technique has improved, and how he stacks up to fellow rookie corner Trayvon Mullen.

One thing to note about Johnson is that the hard-press technique he used at Houston was a similar technique to that of former Raiders cornerback Rashaan Melvin. Melvin was forced to change his technique with defensive coordinator Paul Guenther’s defense back in 2018.

That sparked these comments after he signed with the Lions Detroit where he spoke about the forced change.

"“All coaches have different techniques and different schemes, Unfortunately, [Oakland] wanted me to do something I wasn’t as comfortable with. I’m here now and it fits me the way I feel I should be playing.”"

We’ll see whether or not Johnson will be able to adapt to the scheme, unlike Melvin. As a converted receiver who has only played the position for two years, he shouldn’t have any problem having to change the way he covers.

After all, he was still largely learning the basics of the position while in college.