The Las Vegas Raiders added some potential impact players in the first three rounds of the draft. However, it’s difficult with a team with so many needs to fill all of them with four picks.
The Raiders added a quarterback, a safety, a defensive end and an offensive lineman. One of the major needs they didn’t address in the first three rounds was cornerback. The team re-signed Eric Stokes in free agency and traded for Taron Johnson, but it’s unclear who the other starting outside cornerback will be.
Darien Porter showed promise last year, but he’s still learning the position. That’s why Timothy Rapp of Bleacher Report is pushing the team to sign former Dallas Cowboys All-Pro cornerback Trevon Diggs in free agency.
“Diggs, on the other hand, has been on a downward trajectory since he was a Pro Bowler in the 2021-22 seasons,” Rapp wrote. “While injuries played a part in that, he’s also been an interception-or-bust player—if he isn’t generating a high dose of turnovers, he simply isn’t a top cover corner.
“That said, there are teams out there who need cornerbacks and could take a gamble on a player like Diggs. The Las Vegas Raiders need more help in the secondary and didn’t address corner at the draft in the first three rounds.”
Raiders Land Jermod McCoy in Fourth Round
The cornerback need might not be as pressing after the Raiders took former Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy at the start of the fourth round. He was considered a first-round talent, but missed all of the 2025 season due to a torn ACL.
There’s a chance he needs another surgery, which would knock him out for the 2026 season. Outside of that, he’s a very good prospect who could be one of the top cornerbacks to come out of the class, according to NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein.
“McCoy is a toolsy outside corner with CB1 flashes, but an ACL tear robbed him of a much-needed third season,” Zierlein wrote. “Hips and feet are smooth, allowing for quality lateral transitions and efficient gathers to match hard-breaking curls. He’s athletic in his recoveries but average acceleration leaves him chasing too often on go routes. More focused, physical press disruption should make the rep easier to control. He’s opportunistic with strong ball skills at the catch point. His route squeeze and zone awareness should improve with more reps. We should expect McCoy’s athletic traits and instincts to help him make up for lost time once he gets into camp.”
Raiders Still Need Another CB
Considering there’s a chance that McCoy won’t play this season, the Raiders still need to add a cornerback. Diggs would be a logical option.
The team struggled to create turnovers last season, and while Diggs does get beaten from time to time, he’s one of the best interception creators in the NFL. The investment in him wouldn’t be a lot. He’d likely come on a small contract. If he wasn’t working out, he’d be easily cut, but if he can return to his All-Pro form, he’d be a steal for the Raiders. Diggs is still only 27 years old.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Raiders Told to Add All-Pro After Not Addressing Key Need Early in Draft appeared first on Heavy Sports.