Scott Boe asks:
"While we've seen reports of the battle for CB1 and CB2, what's the slot corner position looking like?"
There are many directions the team could go at nickel cornerback, but I have an interesting theory regarding who could win the job.
Pete Carroll is known for liking big, physical outside cornerbacks who can press up on the line of scrimmage. The Raiders added two players that fit that mold this offseason, signing Eric Stokes from the Green Bay Packers and drafting 6-foot-4 receiver turned defensive back Darien Porter. There's also Decamerion Richardson and Sam Webb, both standing at 6-foot-2 with starting experience in their young careers.
Taking into account size, speed and physicality, Jakorian Bennett would seem to be the perfect fit at nickel. He was enjoying an exceptional sophomore season, with eight pass deflections and holding opposing quarterbacks to a 52.3 completion percentage in coverage, before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury.
"I was feeling good going into last year," Bennett said Tuesday. "I just felt confident, felt like when you get that experience, everything just kind of slows down. And I had a groups of guys that believed in me, and so this year, I'm trying to try to do the same thing. Keep my head and just keep working."