Raiders 2024 camp position battle: Cornerback

One of the cornerback spots is wide open for the Raiders. Is the starter currently on the team?

Outside cornerback was a bit of a revolving door last season. The starters at the beginning of the season were rookie Jakorian Bennett on the left and veteran Marcus Peters on the right. And neither were starting by season’s end.

Four games in, Bennett was benched in favor of Amik Robertson. Then ten games in, Peters was benched for waiver pickup Jack Jones.

Jones played well enough to keep the starting job. Amik Robertson left in free agency, leaving the left side up for grabs this offseason.

As of right now there are two guys competing for the job.

Jakorian Bennett vs Brandon Facyson

The veteran Facyson might have been the starter coming into last season had he not been injured in camp, thus opening the door for Bennett. Now they battle for that spot once again.

The two rotated work with the first team defense during minicamp, with Bennett coming away with a couple interceptions. Bennett has speed to burn while the seventh-year veteran Facyson is more of a proven talent, though only once starting more than four games in a season.

My take:

This competition is far from settled. It could be one of these two or…someone else entirely.

I wouldn’t be surprised if by the time camp begins, there is another name who enters this competition. There are still a few good cornerback options unsigned who would either offer an immediate starter or heat up the competition at that spot. Stephon Gilmore, Adoree Jackson, and Ahkello Witherspoon top that list.

Vikings named best fit for two high-profile free agents by ESPN

ESPN NFL writer Matt Bowen has named the Minnesota Vikings as the best fit for free agents Adoree’ Jackson and Dalton Risner.

The glitz and glamor of the NFL’s free agency period has long since passed, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t still many good options on the market. For one reason or another, several high-profile players still have yet to find homes for next season. Players who could come in and fill some trouble spots on rosters across the NFL, including on the Minnesota Vikings.

ESPN NFL writer Matt Bowen has named the Vikings the best fit for two such players: former New York Giants cornerback Adoree Jackson and their own former offensive guard, Dalton Risner.

According to Bowen, despite the Vikings having drafted former Oregon cornerback Khyree Jackson in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft, Adoree Jackson could come in and be an immediate fit in the Brian Flores defense. Bowen points to Flores’ scheme, which relies heavily on the blitz, something that fits Jackson’s aggressive nature.

On the other side of the ball, the Vikings still could use plenty of help along the offensive line, and Risner is surprisingly still on the market. Risner played most of the season in 2023 for the Vikings and garnered the fifth-best Pass Block Win Rate in the NFL at his position. He’s also an aggressive run blocker, which not only works well in the Kevin O’Connell offense but should also play to the strengths of the Vikings’ new running back, former Green Bay Packers start Aaron Jones.

Cornerback and guard are two positions the Vikings are likely looking to upgrade, so these two would make sense. Will they make sense for the team financially? That’s another matter entirely, but it would make sense for the team to at least give them a look heading into OTAs and further into the offseason.

Should the Raiders sign free-agent CB Adoree Jackson?

Should the Raiders sign free-agent CB Adoree Jackson?

The Raiders have done a lot to address their defense this offseason, adding Christian Wilkins and several draft picks to the unit. Las Vegas already had a top-10 defense in 2023 and they should only be better this season.

However, the one spot that could hold them back from taking another step as a unit would be the cornerback room. Jack Jones and Nate Hobbs are the only proven players of the group and they really need to add a veteran to compete with Jakorian Bennett and the rookies that they have drafted.

But what cornerback is available that would fit their defense? In a recent article by Bill Barnwell of ESPN, he suggested that the Raiders sign former New York Giants CB Adoree Jackson to a one-year deal to round out their secondary. Here is a snippet of why he believes that move would make a lot of sense for both parties:

The coordinator in New York when the Giants signed (Adoree) Jackson was Patrick Graham, who has run the defense in Las Vegas the past two years. Graham retained his role after the ascension of Antonio Pierce, and while the Raiders improved on defense after Pierce took over as the interim coach, they have some work to do at cornerback. Amik Robertson left in free agency, and although Vegas got great work out of Jack Jones after he arrived in town, the third-year pro became available only after butting heads with Bill Belichick off the field in New England.

Adding a veteran cornerback such as Jackson would take some of the pressure off Jones and Jakorian Bennett. We’re at the point in the offseason in which players can’t realistically expect significant deals, so a one-year contract for modest money should be enough to get Jackson into camp. In a division with Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert, the Raiders can never have too many solid cornerbacks.

This signing makes sense on paper, but Jackson is rehabbing from a neck injury, which is likely the reason he hasn’t signed yet. But if he is healthy, a potential signing could be in the works, given his knowledge of Patrick Graham’s defense and the Raiders’ need for another outside cornerback.

Look for the interest in Jackson to heat up as we get closer to training camp in late July.

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Who are the best available NFL free agents left for Ravens?

We’re looking at the best available NFL free agent fits for the Baltimore Ravens after the first wave

The 2024 salary cap is set at $255.4 million.

The Ravens will look drastically different on both sides of the football field after undergoing massive changes in player personnel and the coaching staff.

Baltimore signed Justin Madubuike, one of the league’s best defensive linemen, to an extension. After inking Madubuike to a deal, Baltimore landed Derrick Henry for two years and $16 million.

The talented running back could earn $20 million throughout the deal.

However, the Ravens suffered significant free-agent losses. Patrick Queen (Steelers), Geno Stone (Bengals), and Gus Edwards (Chargers) were among eight free agents to sign elsewhere. Baltimore also traded Morgan Moses to the Jets and released Tyus Bowser in a cost-cutting move.

The Ravens have $13,884,766 in available cap space, and they’re paying out over $113 million on the offensive side of the football.

With the second wave of free agency set to begin, we’re examining the best available free agents Baltimore should consider.

10 best available free agents to fit Raiders needs

10 best available free agents to fit Raiders needs

It’s Friday, which means the end of the work week. It also means it’s been two work weeks since the free agent market opened for business. The Raiders handled their number one business, which was to land top free agent defensive tackle Christian Wilkins. His addition along with the return of Adam Butler and John Jenkins helped to solidify the definsive interior, but that still leaves them with plenty to do to get this team in good shape headed into the draft.

They have some $28.3 million in cap room with which to try and add some upgrades, competition, and insurance at several position still in need. And there is still some talent out there who could provide what they need.

This is the top ten free agents still on the market who could come in and fill a need position for the Raiders.

Who are the best available NFL free agent fits left for Eagles?

We’re looking at the best available free agent fits for the Philadelphia Eagles ahead of the second wave of free agency

The Eagles have undergone significant changes on both sides of the football field, involving player personnel and a retooled coaching staff.

The free agent period and NFL draft are Howie Roseman’s seasons, and the Eagles GM got off to a roaring start after inking running back Saquon Barkley to a three-year deal, signing improving pass rusher Bryce Huff and then bringing versatile defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson back into the fold.

Roseman then added talent to the backup quarterback position, acquiring Kenny Pickett from the Steelers for a 2024 third-round pick and two 2025 seventh-round picks.

The Eagles have since added wide receiver Parris Campbell, slot cornerback Tyler Hall, defensive tackle PJ Mustipher, and linebacker Oren Burks.

With the second wave of free agency set to begin, we’re looking at the best available free agent fits for Philadelphia.

Eagles’ QB Jalen Hurts fined $16K for a horsecollar tackle in win over Giants

Philadelphia Eagles’ QB Jalen Hurts fined $16K for a horsecollar tackle on New York Giants CB Adoree Jackson

Jalen Hurts and the Eagles snapped a three-game losing streak with a 33-25 win over the Giants on Monday afternoon, but he’ll be slightly lighter in the wallet thanks to an unsportsmanlike penalty.

Philadelphia’s All-Pro quarterback Jalen Hurts was fined over $16,000 for a horsecollar tackle on Giants cornerback Adoree’ Jackson while chasing down a pick-six.

The Eagles’ star was 24-38 passing for 301 yards, one touchdown, and another interception, but the Birds control their destiny regarding the NFC East.

NFC cornerback rankings have two tiers, but are Cowboys or Eagles on top?

Two of the best cornerback rooms in the NFL reside in the NFC East, but how do the four teams rank in comparison to each other? | From @cdpiglet

The cornerback position might be the most volatile across the NFL. Entering last season the Dallas Cowboys had a nice group with All-Pro Trevon Diggs, Anthony Brown coming off his best season and Jourdan Lewis manning the slot under Dan Quinn. Meanwhile the Philadelphia Eagles were reaching for James Bradberry, who looked absolutely washed in 2021 playing for the New York Giants.

By the end of the season, Bradberry ended up having the best campaign of any corner in the division and Dallas was trying to patch their unit together with a fifth-round rookie and veterans off the scrap heap.

The Cowboys and Eagles are clearly battling for the top two spots with the Washington Commanders and New York Giants taking up the last two. They’re trying to rebuild their cornerback rooms on the fly, both using first-round picks on the position. Here’s a look at how the foursome ranks.

Eagles unable to land Adoree’ Jackson after he agrees to 3-year, $39M deal with the Giants

The New York Giants have signed Adoree’ Jackson to a three-year, $39 million deal

The Eagles and Giants rivalry was already set for an intense renewal in 2021, after the fallout from Philadelphia allowing Washington to clinch the NFC East.

On Monday things got even more interesting after the New York Giants completed a strong free-agent haul by agreeing to a deal with former Titans cornerback Adoree’ Jackson.

Jackson was scheduled to visit the Eagles on Monday, but the $13.5 million signing bonus and $26.5 million guaranteed made it a no-brainer for the former USC star to sign on the dotted line.

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Eagles and Giants players actively recruiting free agent CB Adoree’ Jackson

Eagles, Giants players actively recruiting free agent CB Adoree’ Jackson on Twitter

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Adoree’ Jackson has two NFC East visits scheduled in free agency and with both teams needing a value cornerback, the recruiting has gone to social media.

Players from both the Giants and Eagles are on Twitter actively recruiting or letting Jackson know that he’s wanted.

https://instagram.com/p/CMsF0jLnlcO/

Veteran Giants safety Logan Ryan also has the ear of Jackson and it’ll be interesting to see if the talented by oft-injured cornerback makes it out of New Jersey without a contract.

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