Decamerion Richardson is a cornerback that the Las Vegas Raiders selected in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, but it’s unlikely that he’ll start for the Raiders right away.
There’s still room on the squad for a starting cornerback, and there are some good free agent choices.
Former Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Patrick Peterson might be an inexpensive alternative. The eight-time Pro Bowler was suggested by The Athletic’s Tashan Reed as a suitable fit for the Raiders.
In a May 1 editorial, Reed stated, “Peterson will be 34 this season, but he has played every game the last two seasons and started 16 games for the Pittsburgh Steelers last year.
With 42 tackles, 11 pass deflections, and two interceptions, he played safety, nickelback, and outside cornerback. Peterson’s addition makes sense if the Raiders believe he still has anything left in the tank.
Although he is getting older, Peterson is still one of the best cornerbacks of his generation. He’s still performing at a respectable level nonetheless. He would be a great addition to the Raiders for a one-year rental.
He is an accomplished player who has competed at the highest level. A relatively youthful secondary would benefit greatly from his mentoring, and he shouldn’t experience the same tackling issues that Marcus Peters had the previous season.
Decamerion Richardson Is A Captivating Future
In numerous mock drafts, the Raiders selected a cornerback with their first-round choice. Despite not addressing the position in free agency, the team chose to select tight end Brock Bowers with the No. 13 pick due to the way the board decided to vote.
Before the Raiders selected in the second round, there was also a significant rush on cornerbacks, which helped them select offensive tackle Jackson Powers-Johnson. It wasn’t until the team selected Robinson in the fourth round that they addressed the issue.
He’s a fascinating player. At 6-foot-2, he has excellent stature for a cornerback and a 4.34 40-yard sprint time. He’s also a powerful tackler, as ESPN’s Paul Gutierrez reports.
In a commentary published on April 27, Gutierrez stated, “He needs improvement but did lead Mississippi State with 7 pass breakups last season, even as he never recorded an interception.” With 164 tackles in the last two seasons combined, he’s also not hesitant to stick his nose in the scrum.
Robinson might have an influence in the future, but he is probably not ready to start this season.
Is M.J. Devonshire capable of making the roster?
M.J. Devonshire of Pittsburgh was the second cornerback the Raiders selected in the seventh round of the NFL. Although he lacks Robinson’s level of athleticism, Gutierrez emphasized his physicality.
Although Devonshire did run a 4.45 40, Gutierrez stated that Devonshire is more of a physical defender who does not back down from bump-and-run coverage than a quick wide receiver.
The 5-foot-11, 186-pound Devonshire had 10 PBUs in 12 games with nine starts last season, and he led Pitt with four interceptions, including a pick-six.
Devonshire may have a chance to make the squad because head coach Antonio Pierce enjoys having physical players on the team.
Seventh-round picks never have an easy time breaking into the squad, but the Raiders’ need at cornerback will present some opportunities. Being a vital component of a significant program, Devonshire might have some clout in the NFL.
Since 2019, Austin Boyd has covered the Los Angeles Lakers and Las Vegas Raiders for Heavy.com.
Originally from Los Angeles and currently residing in Las Vegas, he has been featured on Heavy with interviews with NFL players Joe Montana and Darren Waller as well as an exclusive behind-the-scenes peek at “The Shop.”Additional details regarding Austin Boyd