Oct 20, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers cornerback Eric Stokes (21) celebrates as he leaves the field following the game against the Houston Texans at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Will Eric Stokes Be Raiders' Biggest FA Signing?

Originally posted on Las Vegas Raiders on SI
By Michael Canelo | Last updated May 27, 2025 2:00 PM ET

The Las Vegas Raiders will not only have a new look at the head coaching position with Pete Carroll, and a new quarterback under center in Geno Smith. The Raiders will look different on the defensive side of the ball as well.

One position that the Raiders will look different next season is the cornerback position. The Raiders will have some turnover at the cornerback position and will have to figure out who the starters will be

The Raiders, as it stands right now, are thin at the cornerback position. This offseason the Raiders lost starting cornerback Nate Hobbs. The Raiders also lost more secondary help after Tre'von Moehrig and Marcus Epps went elsewhere this offseason.

The Raiders will go with young starting cornerback Jakorian Bennett as one starter. Bennett has shown flashes of what he can do and can be special. Last season Bennett struggled with injury but when he was on the field, he was good for the Raiders. Next season, we will look to take another step in getting better.

The Raiders have more unproven talent at the cornerback position but they all have upside. The Raiders will have to go into minicamp and training camp looking for ways they can have another good start, and it is highly possible. The team also brought in veteran cornerback Eric Stokes in free agency to bring that much needed leadership to the cornerback room.

Our Hondo Carpenter talked about how the Raiders will go about the cornerback position and how they are very thin at that position heading into the 2025 season on a recent episode of the "Las Vegas Raiders Insider Podcast."

"Of all the free agent signings, he may be the most fascinating, and it is Eric Stokes," said Carpenter. "I spent a lot of time talking about this kid. He spent four seasons in Green Bay. First round pick. In his first season as a rookie, he was sensational. He was phenomenal. Then he got injured and struggled to get back. 2021 was his best year. The guy looked like a world-beating dominant force. He looked the part, the injury is what hurt."

"So the Raiders did not really overextend themselves to get this guy. This is a low-risk, super high-reward. They believe he is recovered. I think he believes he is 100 percent recovered, and he is going to play like he played his rookie season. If that is the case, John Spytek stole him."

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This article first appeared on Las Vegas Raiders on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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