Raiders pushed to sign two-time NFL interception leader

Following an exciting first week of free agency, the Las Vegas Raiders have cooled on signing new players. However, there are still a few voids on the roster.

Perhaps the most significant gap is at cornerback. The squad lost Amik Robertson to the Detroit Lions in free agency and now needs another starting cornerback. Cornerback Xavien Howard was dismissed by the Miami Dolphins earlier this summer and is still available as a free agent. Patrick Graham, the Raiders’ defensive coordinator, was his defensive coordinator with the Dolphins in 2019, thus the two have a history.

Dan Pizzuta of The 33rd Team thinks the Raiders should sign Howard.

“Howard can still be aggressive, and a defense that allows him to do that off the line and then play more zone coverage on the backend could be the veteran’s best fit,” Pizzuta wrote in an article published on March 28.

“The Las Vegas Raiders fit that trend since their defensive looks became more diverse once Antonio Pierce took over as head coach. The Raiders have also focused on defense this offseason, filling out that side of the ball while the offense is straightened out.

Howard, 30, missed four games last season due to injury. He’s unlikely to receive a big offer in free agency, so the Raiders might sign him cheaply.

What Would Xavien Howard Bring to the Las Vegas Raiders?

 Last offseason, the Raiders signed Marcus Peters, a former Pro Bowl cornerback past his peak, in free agency. That did not work out, and he was released during the season. Xavien Howard is in a similar situation to Peters last offseason, which may sour the Raiders on the thought of adding him.

 However, Howard has past experience with Patrick Graham, so the coach should be able to determine whether the cornerback is a good fit. The Raiders’ defense has struggled with turnovers. Last season, the team had a turnover differential of -2. Howard is among the league’s greatest cornerbacks at causing turnovers. He led the NFL in interceptions twice (in 2018 and 2020).

He only has two combined interceptions in the last two seasons and may not be the ball hawk he once was but his price should be cheap in free agency. It certainly wouldn’t hurt the Raiders to add Howard but he’d only be a short-term solution.

Las Vegas Raiders Could Draft CB Early

While Xavien Howard would be a good short-term starter at cornerback for the Raiders, there’s also a chance the team will address the position early in the draft. There are several good cornerbacks in this year’s class but Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal believes that Alabama’s Terrion Arnold is the best fit with the Raiders.

“One of three top cornerbacks—Arnold, Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell, and Clemson’s Nate Wiggins—should be available at No. 19,” Bonsignore said in a March 30 mock draft. “All three have the potential to make an immediate impact and combine with Jack Jones and Nate Hobbs to form a dangerous starting cornerback unit. Arnold impressed Raiders coach Antonio Pierce at the scouting combine and his Alabama pro day, and he is an excellent fit for both the field and the culture Pierce is establishing.”