Top 5 cornerback free agent options for Raiders

With less than a week until free agency opens, we have the benefit of knowing which players won’t be hitting free agency due to being slapped with the franchise tag. Such was the case for Jaylon Johnson and L’Jarius Sneed who were tagged by the Packers and Chiefs respectively.

But even with Johnson and Sneed not hitting the market, there are still a few others who could come in and help the Raiders with their need at cornerback. Here are the top five for their needs.

Kendall Fuller (29)

Oct 24, 2021; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams (17) tries to break a tackle by Washington Football Team cornerback Kendall Fuller (29) in the third quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

The veteran cornerback has averaged nearly 12 pass breakups and three interceptions in each of his full seasons since 2017. And added an interception and a couple pass breakups in the playoffs on the way to a Super Bowl win with the Chiefs in 2019. That’s pretty consistent production. The kind most teams, the Raiders included, could certainly use.

Chidobe Awuzie (28)

Sep 13, 2020; Inglewood, California, USA; Dallas Cowboys cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (24) hangs on to the ball after he intercepted a pass intended for Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Van Jefferson (12) in the second half of the game at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Awuzie suffered an ACL injury that cost him half the 2022 season and it was clear last season that he wasn’t completely back from it. His three full seasons just prior to the injury, he averaged 13 pass breakups and 71 tackles.

Sean Murphy-Bunting (26)

Tennessee Titans cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting (0) celebrates his interception against the Jacksonville Jaguars with cornerback Eric Garror (33) during the second quarter at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024.

The star cornerback of the Buccaneers run to a Super Bowl title in 2020. Murphy-Buntin put up three interceptions and five pass breakups in four playoff games. He started 14 games last season in Tennessee putting up two interceptions and eight pass breakups.

Adoree Jackson (28)

Nov 7, 2021; East Rutherford, N.J., USA;Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Bryan Edwards (89) cannot catch a pass in the end zone as New York Giants cornerback Adoree’ Jackson (22) defends at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Jackson is a buy low situation, coming off his worst season. That was in part because he was hung out to dry with the lack of pressure by the Giants. Prior to that, the former 18 overall pick was consistently a solid cover corner. The last rebound season he had was 2021 season when he joined Patrick Graham’s defense. That could be just what rebounds his career again.

Steven Nelson (31)

Dec 31, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans cornerback Steven Nelson (21) on the bench during the game against the Tennessee Titans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Nelson is well traveled, likely about to join his fifth NFL team in tenth season. And yet he always seems to be underrated. But he has been a full time starter in the NFL each of the past eight seasons. In that time he has maintained a consistent level of play despite playing in a variety of different systems including in each of the past four seasons.