Oakland Raiders: Preseason Week 2 — Stock Up/Stock Down

Stock Down: Nick Nelson, CB

I noticed cornerback Nick Nelson multiple times throughout the game and every time it was due to a blown coverage assignment.

The worst play of his day came on a 40-yard touchdown reception from Trent Sherfield who had a couple of steps on Nelson while running a hitch route down the sideline.

Nelson ran a 4.52 which isn’t terribly slow, though it isn’t great for a cornerback. But he looks slow on the field and that’s what really matters.

Nelson was drafted to be a nickel corner and was “talked up” by Gruden this and last year during camp according to Vic Tafur of the Athletic who also had to say the following.

"“…the coaches have to think that Johnson has a higher ceiling. Since safety Lamarcus Joyner is playing slot corner this season, there is no reason to keep more than four corners.”"

I do not see the Raiders keeping only four corners, but I do think the coaches will choose Isaiah Johnson‘s upside over Nelson’s.

And Trayvon Mullen should have the skill set to fill in at the nickel on plays that Lamarcus Joyner goes back to safety being that his press man-to-man coverage is his greatest strength.

On top of that, Nelson did not have a productive year at all last season and as said earlier, has not looked very much improved if at all this year either.

Undrafted free agent Keisean Nixon has played pretty well, and Nelson is already at the bottom of the depth chart among the corners from last year. So unless he steps it up dramatically in the final two games, his spot on the team is likely lost.