The Las Vegas Raiders need more help in the secondary, especially now that they have a stud in the cornerback room in Jack Jones. But they need help around him. Last season, they drafted Jakorian Bennett, and while he showed some good moments, he showed more bad. However, that happens with rookies, but it wouldn't be a bad idea to go and get another cornerback.
Everyone and their dad want the Raiders to get a quarterback in this draft, whether it be one of the better guys by trading up or staying at 13 and getting a quarterback who will need to be developed a bit. Either way, they need a guy who can make the face of their franchise for years to come at the position.
So, if they do decide to go that route with their first pick in the draft, I'm a firm believer they should target a cornerback or an offensive tackle in the second round. But, in this scenario, I think they should go with a cornerback; that way, they can get the most underrated one in the entire draft.
Raiders should look into FSU CB Renardo Green
Green is a physical cornerback who fits the Patrick Graham system perfectly for the Raiders. He can play a bit of press, man, but he also isn't too bad in the zone. He needs a bit of development, but he is easily a guy that could play right now. The Raiders need that, especially if they decide not to bring back free-agent Amik Robertson.
Green had a pretty good year at Florida State, where he was a big reason the defense was as good as it was. In Week 1 against LSU, he held Malik Nabers, a potential top-five pick, to his worst game of the season. He allowed two catches on five targets. That was Nabers only game below 85 receiving yards, as he finished with 67, and it was one of his three games below 100 receiving yards.
Green has all the tools to be a key player in Silver and Black right away and has the potential to be a Pro Bowler at the position. With Graham calling the defense now the way he wants, the defense could get even better. A to Z Sports' Big Board has Green as the 42nd overall prospect and the eighth-best cornerback in a very stacked class. Here are some of his strengths and weaknesses:
Strengths
- Had 16 forced incompletions in 2023
- Played most of his snaps on an island in press man
- Patient & fluid footwork to mirror complex releases
- Plays with good eye discipline & stays connected to double moves
- Savvy & hyper-competitive at the catch point
- Has the sideline awareness to push receivers out of bounds before they can land their feet
- Was the best CB at the Shrine Bowl
- Smooth hip-flip from press to match outside releases
- Adequate physicality as a run defender
WEAKNESSES
- Average size & frame for an outside CB
- Has a tendency to faceguard. Sometimes, late turning & locating the ball
- All 3 of his TDs allowed were goalline fades
- Size limits his recovery range & control at the catch point
- Indecisive sorting through zone coverage responsibilities
- Needs to play with lower hands downfield to minimize holding calls
- Too willing to give an easy inside release
- Rigid deceleration with stop routes when he's out of phase
- Average closing burst from off-coverage
If Green is there in the second round, I don't see why the Raiders wouldn't get him. He could end up being a steal of the draft.
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