Chimdi

Chekwa

A 2011 fourth-rounder, Chekwa appeared in 10 games last season, and has made three starts since 2013. Sheets missed all of 2014 with a torn Achilles’.

A restricted free agent, Chekwa wasn’t tendered a contract by the Raiders. He’ll compete for deep-reserve and special-teams duties.

With Chris Johnson (groin) also injured, the Raiders couldn’t afford to wait for Chekwa’s hamstring to heal after a recent setback. Per Pro Football Focus, the fourth-rounder graded out well-below average as a fill-in starter in two games this season. He’ll return as a reserve in 2012.

A fourth-round pick last season, Chekwa was no longer under scholarship in Oakland, and will look to continue his career elsewhere. The Raiders claimed CB Phillip Adams, LB Keenan Clayton and OT Willie Smith in corresponding moves.

24-year-old Chekwa was a fourth-round pick in 2011, under the Al Davis regime. At 6-foot, 190, Chekwa ran 4.33 and 4.37 forty times at the Combine two Februaries ago. He’ll likely close out the season playing special teams.

Chekwa appeared in 15 games last season but played just 169 defensive snaps. He has the wheels (4.33 forty) but is just a special teamer, where he racked up six tackles in 2013.

Chekwa’s track speed checks out for Al Davis, even if he doesn’t play to those wheels. A Big Ten champ in the 4 x 100 relay, Chekwa ran 4.33 and 4.37 at February’s Combine. Critics believe Chekwa is more of a zone corner, however, so DBs coach Rod Woodson has some work to do. He picked off six passes in his career as a three-year starter for the Buckeyes, and has some experience in the nickel. Chekwa is also coming off wrist surgery.

A Big Ten star in track and field, Chekwa fits owner Al Davis’ speed mandate at corner. He’s an interesting project for new DBs coach Rod Woodson, likely starting his career on special teams.

Ronald Bartell is locked in on one side, while Spencer is a good bet to hold off Demarcus Van Dyke and Chimdi Chekwa on the other. Remember that Spencer fell off the map in San Francisco, tumbling down the depth chart until he was cut in March. Expect the Raiders to be in plenty of shootouts once again this season.

Would-be starter D.J. Hayden (ankle surgery) is out indefinitely, so it’s entirely possible Oakland enters the season with an arrangement of Chekwa and Tarell Brown outside with Carlos Rogers covering the slot in nickel sets. Chekwa played roughly 170 defensive snaps last season and got burned regularly in coverage. The Raiders will hope to lean on their pass-rush stable to mask secondary deficiencies this season. (It’s far easier planned than done.)