The Raiders need cornerbacks. Notice the plural, there.
They need more than one after the position group got gutted by cuts and TJ Carrie’s new deal with Cleveland. A makeover was required, with Gareon Conley starting on one side and question marks at other spots.
They hope to reel Rashaan Melvin in during a Friday free-agent visit and insert him directly into the starting lineup. Melvin can’t play two spots at once, meaning the Raiders need volume.
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That’s why they added Shareece Wright. The former Charger, Raven and Bill has been a spot starter and reserve option in recent seasons. Wright could fill that role in Oakland after agreeing on terms of a contract, he announced on Instagram Friday afternoon.
Wright posted a Raiders logo on his Instagram page with the caption, “I’m going, going, back, back, to Cali, Cali. Nothing like that silver and black! God is good.”
The USC grad spent last season in Buffalo, where he had 44 tackles, an interception, a force fumble and five passes defensed in 12 games (five starts).
He doesn’t have tons of experience in the slot, though Conley could move inside for sub packages. It’s also possible he’ll receive competition from a drafted cornerback, or an incumbent.
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Wright re-teams with recently signed safety Marcus Gilchrist, who was also part of the Chargers’ 2011 draft class.
Raiders sign long snapper
The Raiders identified Jon Condo’s successor on Friday, signing Andrew DePaola to a four-year, $4.27 million deal with $827,000 in guarantees. His agent confirmed terms of the deal.
A pair of long snappers were already on the roster, but this contract implies DePaola will have the job unless he has an awful offseason and training camp. That isn’t expected. He has four years NFL experience. He spent three years in Tampa Bay and 2017 in Chicago.