Defensive Back
At the end of last season, Guenther spoke on the possibility of Lamarcus Joyner moving to safety, per The Athletic’s Vic Tafur.
“We’ve really, the first year, just tried to concentrate him on (playing nickel),” Guenther said. “And then maybe next year once he kind of gets that, we’ll move him back here to safety as a chess piece.”
Whether Joyner moves to safety or not, the Raiders have to add a veteran defensive back—either to replace him in the slot or to strengthen deep coverage on the back end. Remember, even though Johnathan Abram will return in 2020, he was known as a thumper at Mississippi State with average cover skills.
This season, only Erik Harris logged multiple interceptions (three) for the defense. He’s a decent starter, but the Raiders can look for an upgrade or a third solid safety to compensate for potential injuries.
Top Target: Damarious Randall
Over the last two years, Guenther has turned one of his defensive backs into a versatile defender who can play in the slot, closer to the box and deep at safety. In 2018, Marcus Gilchrist filled that role. This past season, Daryl Worley slowly took on those responsibilities.
The Raiders could re-sign Worley to serve as Guenther’s secondary chess piece, but they should look for a defensive back with a proven resume as a multi-position moonlighter.
Damarious Randall has put together productive seasons as a boundary cornerback, slot defender and safety. Here’s a snap-production breakdown of his first four seasons before a lackluster 2019 campaign with the Browns, per Pro Football Focus. He played his first three seasons with the Green Bay Packers and the last two in Cleveland.
| Snaps/Year and Production | 2015 – Packers (14 PBUs / 3 INTs | 2016 – Packers (9 PBUs / 3 INTs | 2017 – Packers (9 PBUs / 4 INTs | 2018 – Browns (9 PBUs / 4 INTs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wide Corner Snaps | 777 | 580 | 377 | 91 |
| Slot Corner Snaps | 42 | 61 | 246 | 50 |
| Box (Safety) Snaps | 45 | 47 | 58 | 83 |
| Free Safety Snaps | 6 | 2 | 16 | 849 |
Table Note: PBUs are abbreviated for pass breakups, and INTs are abbreviated for interceptions.
Unlike Joyner, Randall’s production remained consistent whether he lined up outside at cornerback, in the slot or at safety. More importantly, the 27-year-old isn’t just exploring position versatility as a new venture like Worley.
Alternative Option: Mike Hilton
The Raiders should move Joyner to safety. In that scenario, the defense would need a slot cornerback. Although the team has high hopes for Isaiah Johnson and Keisean Nixon next year, both are unknowns. Neither played more than 38 defensive snaps during the 2019 season. The former is a raw talent at cornerback, who’s only played the position for two terms at Houston on the collegiate level.
Mike Hilton would immediately patch up the Raiders’ need at slot cornerback. He’s excelled at the position for three seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, logging 25 pass breakups, four interceptions and 6.5 sacks.
Oakland would need to send Hilton an offer sheet because he’s a restricted free agent. If team brass proposes a decent number, the Steelers, who see impending free-agent edge-rusher Bud Dupree as a priority, per The Athletic’s Mark Kaboly, may let their slot cornerback go. Cameron Sutton, Pittsburgh’s 2017 third-rounder, handled a decent amount of snaps (107) in the slot this past season, per Pro Football Focus.