3. How will the cornerback depth chart shape up?
The Raiders werereportedly in hot pursuit of premier free-agentcornerbackByron Jonesand even had a massive deal lined up for him. But he ultimately decided to sign with the Miami Dolphins leaving the team without a reasonable alternative.
Instead, the Raiders signed former top draft pickEli Appleto a meager one-year, $6 million deal with all of it guaranteed. But Apple likely isn’t the solution to the team’s cornerback woes.
So what exactly should we expect the depth chart to look like come September?
Second-year proTrayvon Mullenshould have one of the starting jobs locked down while it’s expected thatLamarcus Joynerwill man the slot despite his struggles in that role in his first season with the Raiders.
Expect Apple to compete for the other starting job, but it’s far from a guarantee.
The Raiders are likely to add another cornerback in the 2020 NFL Draft, perhaps as early as the first round. Florida’sC.J. Hendersonremains a very possible option — provided Ohio State’sJeffrey Okudahdoesn’t suffer a cataclysmic fall.
Apple will probably compete with the rookie for the other outside spot while the likes ofIsaiah Johnson,Nick Nelson,Keisean Nixon, andNevin Lawsoncompete for depth roles.
It will be a new-look Raiders cornerback group in 2020, but it remains to be seen if it will be an improved unit.
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