Which Raiders CBs Will Separate Themselves?

The Las Vegas Raiders have a very young cornerback room, which has its benefits and downsides.

Some of the young cornerbacks on the Raiders have very high upside, but corner is arguably the most difficult position to play in football, and younger players are prone to making mistakes.

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General Manager Dave Ziegler made several additions at cornerback during free agency, and selected Maryland corner Jakorian Bennett in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

The Raiders also have returning contributors, such as Nate Hobbs, who was impressive in his rookie season but dealt with injuries last year, Amik Robertson, who showed flashes of brilliance last season, and Tyler Hall, who came on strong at the end of the year.

It’s unclear which cornerbacks will be the main contributors in 2023 beyond Hobbs and Robertson, who played the most snaps at the position in 2022.

Let’s take a closer look at the cornerbacks on the Raiders’ roster who have a chance to separate themselves and be major contributors in 2023.

One of the likeliest candidates is free agent signee Duke Shelley, who was impressive with the Minnesota Vikings last season in coverage. Shelley has an advantage because of his exceptional play on the outside.

Shelley signed a one-year contract with the Raiders, but could play himself into another contract if he builds on his play from 2022.

The aforementioned Hall is on the roster bubble, but if he can continue the momentum he created at the end of last season throughout training camp, he could be in line for a bigger role in 2023.

Hall started seven games after Week 11 last season and finished as the second-highest graded player on the Raiders’ defense by Pro Football Focus. He displayed excellent play down the stretch of the season with 20 tackles, a sack, two tackles for losses and four passes defended.

The rookie Bennett is a fourth round pick, but has elite athleticism, explosiveness, and ball skills, all things Ziegler coveted.

Bennett has a chance to separate himself and earn early playing time due to his physical traits and ability to make plays on the ball.

While it would not be typical for a fourth round rookie to become a starter, the Raiders’ cornerback competition is wide open, and Bennett has as good a chance as any corner on the team.

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