With free agency a couple of weeks away, we check in on the Raiders’ cornerback position to give it a condition of either Strong, Stable, Unstable, Serious, or Critical.

Starters: Trayvon Mullen, Daryl Worley, Lamarcus Joyner

Backups: Nevin Lawson, Isaiah Johnson, Keisean Nixon, Markinton Dorleant, DJ Killings, Nick Nelson, Dylan Mabin, Ken Crawley, Jordan Brown

Free agents: Daryl Worley

At the beginning of last season, the starters on the outside were Gareon Conley and Daryl Worley. By midseason, the secondary was struggling and the Raiders made a move. They traded Conley to the Texans for a third-round pick and moved rookie Trayvon Mullen into a starting role.

Mullen started ten games and played well over the second half of the season, impressing coaches who picked him at 40 overall in the draft. He finished with one interception and 10 pass breakups and is cemented as a starter.

The same can’t be said for Worley on the other side and Lamarcus Joyner in the slot. Joyner especially was routinely beaten in the slot. Worley was a passable starter, but not top tier. He showed his prowess as a tackler and in run support but too often was part of the overall issues with the secondary.

Nevin Lawson returns despite being a major liability in coverage all last season. The team really liked what they saw from undrafted rookie Keisean Nixon in limited snaps. Fourth-round rookie Isaiah Johnson barely saw the field due to injury.

Condition: Serious

At this point, it looks like Mullen and Joyner will be starting again next season. Worley is headed for free agency and there is no indication the team has any plans to retain him, leaving a gaping hole at one of the cornerback positions. They absolutely must address that spot because Lawson isn’t the guy and Nixon and Johnson are still unproven products.

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