Raiders Projected to Cut CB Who Is Currently Listed as Starter on Depth Chart

Out of all the position groups for the Las Vegas Raiders, cornerback is the one with the most question marks. Based on the current depth chart , Eric Stokes and rookie Darien Porter are listed as the starting outside cornerbacks, with Darnay Holmes listed as the starting nickel cornerback.

However, one of those players might not even be on the roster when the season starts.

Raiders Projected to Cut Holmes

The Raiders lost Nate Hobbs in free ag ency this offseason, who has been their main starting slot cornerback for the past four seasons. The team didn't do much to address the need, and they now appear set on letting Holmes get a chance.

Jeremy Chinn is listed as a starting safety, but he's been the main nickel cornerback when the Raiders go with a single high safety look. Despite being listed as a starter, Sportsnaut's Moe Moton projected that Holmes will get cut before the season.

"Darnay Holmes’ experience in defensive coordinator Patrick Graham’s system didn’t help him claim the primary nickelback position," Moton wrote. "Going back to the spring, safety Jeremy Chinn has taken most of the snaps in the slot in a big nickel formation.

"In Week 2 of the preseason, Chinn snagged an interception on the San Francisco 49ers‘ second drive, showing off his ability to make plays in the secondary. Meanwhile, Holmes could be expendable if the Raiders tap into cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly’s inside-outside versatility."

Can Raiders Afford to Move Chinn to CB Full-Time?

The problem with what Moton is projecting is that the Raiders don't have another strong nickel cornerback on the roster. Sure, Kyu Blu Kelly is making a push recently, but he's not a household name.

If they cut Holmes and Kelly isn't up to snuff, they'd have to move Chinn to nickel cornerback full-time. The problem with that is that it would leave a hole at safety. Chinn is likely the Raiders' best safety.

Perhaps they think second-year safety Thomas Harper is ready to take a leap, but that would be a big gamble considering how young the secondary already is. The cornerback room will continue to be something to watch for Las Vegas.