The Oakland Raiders hoped their cornerback situation would be crystal clear by this point. That after training camp and four exhibition games, at least two of their young corners would have stepped up to show they’re ready to be starters in the NFL.
Unfortunately, that’s not the case.
In the Raiders’ final preseason game Thursday night against the Seattle Seahawks, Keith McGill gave up a 63-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Lockett. Meanwhile, D.J. Hayden continued to be inconsistent. At this point, it appears that TJ Carrie and Hayden might be the team’s top two corners – heading into the first game of the regular season on Sept. 13 vs. the Bengals – but that’s certainly not a lock.
After watching the Raiders’ cornerback competition unfold this summer, Bill Williamson, who covers the Raiders for ESPN.com, noted Friday that Oakland’s cornerback play may have been so spotty that the team’s braintrust may decide to look for outside help.
“Job one for the Oakland Raiders’ front office the next couple of days will be to find a veteran cornerback or two that can come in and play,” he wrote. “The Raiders’ youth movement at the position is just not prepared for what is facing them in the regular season.”
It’s been especially discouraging for Oakland to see that McGill hasn’t progressed as coaches believed he might. He started training camp with the first defensive unit, but has given up some big plays and been supplanted by Hayden. Yet Hayden, too, was targeted effectively and often by opponents this preseason.
For now, it appears Carrie, Hayden, McGill and Neiko Thorpe are the Raiders’ top four corners heading into the regular season. But none of the four was outstanding this summer.
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Now, Thursday night’s performance may cause general manager Reggie McKenzie and his staff to scour the waiver wire over the next few days to bring in help.
