The free agent market got a little bit smaller as cornerback Rashaan Melvin reportedly agreed to a one-year, $6.5 million deal with the Oakland Raiders. Melvin has bounced around the league since 2013, but has recently found success with the Indianapolis Colts over the past two seasons.
For the #Raiders and CB Rashaan Melvin, it’s a 1-year deal worth $6.5M, source said.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2018
Report: Oakland Raiders Sign Rashaan Melvin
Melvin was one of the more underrated players heading into the free agency this off-season. Stuck on a 4-12 team with no major stars, Melvin put together a solid year on a defense that lacked major talent. He finished 2017 as the 17th best corner according to Pro Football Focus, ending his season with three interceptions and 13 passes defended in ten games.
It hasn’t been the easiest of roads for Melvin. The cornerback’s career initially began as an undrafted free agent with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2013. However, Melvin wouldn’t make it on an active roster until 2014. After a brief stint on the Miami Dolphins where he never played a game, Melvin emerged for the Baltimore Ravens. The Northern Illinois product started the final two regular-season games for the 2014 Ravens, along with two postseason matchups.
At first, it looked like his 2014 success wouldn’t carry over. Melvin was cut twice in 2015 by the Ravens and the New England Patriots. For a while, it looked like his career might be over. However, he received one more chance in 2016 with the Colts, and he made his most recent shot count.
Melvin has appeared in 25 games for the Colts, starting 19. During that time, he’s come to establish himself as a solid cornerback who can contribute both on defense and special teams. While his 2016 season wasn’t anything to write home about, Melvin seemed to figure something out in 2017. Melvin put together a good 10 games as the team’s top cornerback before missing six games with a hand injury.
