Taylor

Mays

Mays also had an offer from the Seahawks. With the Raiders hurting at safety -- Nate Allen (knee) and Charles Woodson (shoulder) -- Oakland needs him.

It’s Mays’ third team of the offseason after already being released by the Vikings and Lions since June. He rejoins Raiders DC Ken Norton, who coached Mays in college at USC. Mays will have to earn his keep on special teams.

Mays has been yo-yoing on and off the 53-man roster. His latest stay may last only a week or two.

A star under coach Pete Carroll at USC, Mays has not appeared in a regular season game since 2015. Our last blurb on him came in May 2017. Now 31, it would be stunning were Mays to land a contract. Even if he did, the 53-man roster would be a pipe dream.

The 2010 second-rounder played just 57 of a possible 648 defensive snaps last season while missing seven games due to injuries. He’s strictly an in-the-box safety with poor coverage instincts. Jeromy Miles could also be in the mix, though the Bengals figured to strongly consider Alabama’s Mark Barron at No. 17 regardless of Crocker’s status.

He’ll have to old off Robert Sands, Jeromy Miles, rookie George Iloka, and perhaps Jason Allen, but Mays is apparently atop the depth chart at this point. Despite stiff hips and little playmaking ability, Mays had a high draft grade from the Bengals coming out of USC in 2010. Mays could emerge onto the IDP radar if he wins the job and stays on the field for Cincinnati’s nickel packages.

Clements saw some early-camp reps at safety, an idea that might have been more viable had first-round pick Dre Kirkpatrick not injured his knee. Reedy expects Clements to bookend RCB Leon Hall, with Taylor Mays at strong safety opposite Reggie Nelson. The Bengals are going to need big-time pass rush to cover up their secondary flaws. Offenses should be able to throw on this unit.

Bengals DC Mike Zimmer indicated he’s nowhere near naming a starter, but the organization has been high on Mays since he came out of USC in 2010. Mays is trying to hold off Jeromy Miles, Robert Sands, and rookie George Iloka. For now, the Bengals aren’t considering moving CBs Nate Clements or Jason Allen.

Mays was reportedly “dazed” following a second-quarter hit on rookie Jets WR Stephen Hill, and is more than likely concussed. In the driver’s seat for Cincinnati’s starting strong safety job, Mays has suffered no other known concussions since coming into the league in 2010.

Mays was a second-round pick by the 49ers in 2010, but this is his best opportunity to date. He only has to hold off the likes of Jeromy Miles, Robert Sands, and rookie George Iloka. “It has been the most crucial offseason for me,” Mays said. There’s sleeper IDP appeal here.