After a painfully long wait, the Oakland Raiders have finally signed first round pick, corner Gareon Conley from Ohio State. Whether it was because of the normal contract complications or the rape accusations, the signing took longer than most deals, and the young corner missed valuable camp time.
The Oakland Raiders Have Signed Gareon Conley
The Raiders have agreed to terms with CB Gareon Conley. Done deal. Should be announced later tonight. 1st round pick in the fold
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) July 28, 2017
The Oakland Raiders selected Gareon Conley with the 24th overall pick in the first round this season, and it’s easy to see why. Conley looks like a NFL cornerback, and he’s got great athleticism. It’s fun to imagine what an Oakland secondary with Conley and second round pick, Obi Melifonwu, might look like if they both live up to their potential.
However, there was also a reason why Conley was available at 24. Mere days before the draft, Conley was accused of raping a woman in a Cleveland hotel room. Conley was very cooperative with the investigation, and after the accuser’s story started to fall apart, people assumed the case would be quickly resolved. Months later, it’s still very murky, and it’s easy to see why the Raiders were hesitant to make him a millionaire.
On the field, this signing couldn’t have happened fast enough. The Oakland Raiders were one of the worst defensive teams in football last year, and the secondary was a big reason why. Sean Smith and David Amerson might be good corners, but that’s not what last year’s film shows. Maybe, with the additions of Conley and Melifonwu, the silver and black can change that.
Whether it’s as the team’s nickle corner, a special teamer, or a starter, Gareon Conley should make an immediate impact on the team. The Oakland Raiders need as much help as they can get on the defensive side of the ball, and hopefully Conley is every bit the corner that Reggie McKenzie believed he was.
