There’s no question that the Oakland Raiders need help on defense. They were one of the worst defensive units in the league, and obviously the pass defensive played a big role. They gave up almost 260 yards a game through the air, and only nine teams gave up more passing touchdowns. Obviously, this leads people to think the Raiders should draft a corner. Here’s why they’re wrong.
The Oakland Raiders Shouldn’t Draft a Corner
If It’s Kinda Broke
There’s no pretending that David Amerson and Sean Smith played well in 2016, but it’s not necessarily their fault. Nobody should pretend that Ken Norton Jr. is a good defensive coordinator, based on what he’s done with the Oakland Raiders so far. The Raiders gave up a ton of yards, a ton of points, and had zero pass rush outside of Khalil Mack.
There’s an argument to be made that they’re just missing a piece. But at the end of the day, Norton is the one that doesn’t know how to properly utilize his talent. This is especially true with Sean Smith.
Sean Smith
Raiders fans seem to hate Sean Smith, and it doesn’t make sense. He had some rough patches, but overall he had a solid 2016. In fact, he was named one of Oakland’s most underrated players last season. Pro Football Focus gave Smith the highest grade of any corner on the team, and he recovered from his early season struggles as the year went on.
Smith’s biggest problem was how Norton Jr. used him. Norton had Smith playing a relaxed zone coverage 15 yards away from the receiver. Sean Smith is 6’3, 215 pounds, and not particularly fast. He’s at his best when he’s using his superior physicality to manhandle receivers.
If the Raiders would just let Smith press receivers at the line, and make them earn their catches, he’d be better. Instead you’re giving smaller, faster receivers a running start at a relaxed coverage and Reggie Nelson, who is a serious liability in coverage. Smith is playing out of position, and the fact that he’s been able to be decent at all is a reflection of his true ability.
David Amerson
As the season went on, David Amerson’s play deteriorated. At the beginning of the year, he was one of the NFL’s best corners. Towards the end of the season, his play was very inconsistent. He started off in Pro Football Focus’ top five, but by the end of the year, not only was his he their 60th ranked corner, but he was the third best corner on the team behind Smith and T.J. Carrie.
However, there’s a big reason that Amerson struggled. Outside of Khalil Mack, nobody on the Raiders was rushing the passer. Corners have an impossible job as is, let alone without any help from pass rushers. Amerson would return to his proper form if given a proper pass rush.
Bigger Needs
In the later rounds, the Raiders should absolutely draft a cornerback. But in the first couple of rounds, the Raiders have bigger needs. They need a safety to do the job that Reggie Nelson clearly can’t, a defensive tackle to prove interior pressure, and a linebacker to plug the middle. The Raiders could profit from getting better at corner, but it’s not a position they need to be addressing in the first two rounds.
