One of the areas the Las Vegas Raiders struggled with last season was their runner-up finish, and in their sophomore year the coaching staff will have the opportunity to put the right personnel in place for their defensive system.
As the postseason begins, the Raiders have another concern to add to their troubles and that is free reign.
A total of six players (cornerbacks and safeties) will become free agents at the end of the postseason, meaning the team will be busy evaluating their options via free agency and the 2023 NFL Draft.
In the meantime, we’ll be working with SI’s Draft Bible to bring you the latest on potential cornerback prospects the Raiders may be considering.
“We will continue to find players who fit what we are looking for and continue to build this team in our vision and I think at the same time we will achieve our goal of winning football games and our goal for next year is to improve from this year,” said Dave Ziegler, general manager of the Raiders.
Cornerback Eli Ricks, Alabama Crimson Tide
After a monster freshman season at LSU in which he accumulated four interceptions and two touchdowns, Eli Ricks transferred from LSU for unknown reasons to play the 2022 season with the Crimson Tide.
He didn’t become a starter until week eight against Mississippi State, but when he did his presence was felt.
“Ricks is an elongated corner with ball skills and has the makeup of a top defender but needs to build on his technique to remain at the top of his drafting class,” Draft Bible said of Ricks Jones.
Standing at 6-foot-2 and weighing 190 pounds, Jones is a stretched-out cornerback that elite speed scouts are looking for from a top prospect, but he makes up for it with his hand-on technique at the point of attack.
An aggressive cornerback who plays comfortably with the ball in the air and pips receivers for interceptions.
“[Ricks] Uses his length at the line of scrimmage, disrupting route timing. No problem when asked to turn and run. Safe in men’s coverage, via vertical or under concepts,” added Draft Bible.
Ricks projected as day two picks may fall to the Raiders in the third or fourth round.
Just as it took him some time to become a starter in Alabama, it may take Ricks some time to apply for a starter job in an open high school.
The NFL Draft will be held at Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri and will conclude in rounds five through seven on Saturday, April 29th. ESPN, ABC and NFL Network will broadcast every seven rounds.
The NFL Scouting Combine will take place from February 28 to March 6, 2023 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. March 7, 2023 before 4:00 p.m. EST is the club’s deadline for naming franchise or transition players.
March 13-15 is the negotiation phase for the free agents. Beginning at 12:00 p.m. EST on March 13 and ending at 3:59:59 p.m. EST on March 15, clubs will be permitted to enter into contract negotiations with the certified agents of players who become unrestricted free agents after their 2022 year ends Player Contracts at 4pm EST on March 15th.
The 2023 NFL year and free agency period begins March 15 at 4:00 p.m. EST. The Raiders are expected to play a significant role in the free agent market this season.
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