Raiders predicted to sign $14 million defender to address future need

   

The Las Vegas Raiders' 2024 season hasn't gone to plan thus far, as Antonio Pierce's squad is 2-7 and has lost five consecutive games after defeating the Cleveland Browns in Week 4. The team suffered a three-score loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 10 and has yet to score 30 points in a contest this season.

Raiders' top-3 trade candidates floated by Bleacher Report

With the Raiders' disastrous campaign dead in the water, the team will look forward to the 2025 offseason. Las Vegas' roster is one of the weakest in the NFL and will need some major rebuilding if the franchise wants to return to relevancy. Luckily, general manager Tom Telesco will have over $106 million to utilize in free agency, which is the third most in the NFL, per Spotrac. 

One of the positions the Raiders could target in free agency is cornerback, as Nate Hobbs will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason, and the position room lacks much high-end talent. Jack Jones has regressed in 2024 after a solid finish to last season, but second-year defender Jakorian Bennett has stood out and looks like a long-term starter. 

It's clear Las Vegas needs another viable starting cornerback opposite Bennett, so Bleacher Report's Scouting Department predicts the team will sign Detroit Lions' defensive back Carlton Davis in free agency this offseason. 

"The Raiders need a veteran starting corner who can stabilize the position. That's exactly what Carlton Davis has done with the Lions this year. The 28-year-old has come in and given the Lions a more consistent player at the position and could be signed to do the same thing in Vegas."

Though Davis isn't a shutdown corner, the 27-year-old would be a solid addition to the Raiders' defense. The former Auburn Tiger has allowed a 63% completion rate and a 98.6 passer rating when targeted in 2024 and has also posted a 64.6 coverage grade. 

The market for Davis could be competitive, but Tom Telesco should look to acquire the former Buc. Davis has been a starting-caliber corner since entering the league in 2018 and would be a nice veteran voice in a dysfunctional Raiders' locker room.