Las Vegas Raiders just instantly shut down four other teams around the NFL, and they did so using a big-time advantage
The Las Vegas Raiders used their No. 1 waiver wire spot to grab former San Francisco 49ers CB Darrell Luter Jr.
The Las Vegas Raiders currently possess the top spot on the waiver wire and are taking full advantage of it. From this position, they can claim any number of waived players, and one of their first targets is former San Francisco 49ers cornerback Darrell Luter Jr.
They were able to grab him with that No. 1 waiver wire spot. And more importantly, they grabbed Luter, a guy who was heavily wanted around the league. According to Field Yates, the Tennessee Titans, Miami Dolphins, Dallas Cowboys and Indianapolis Colts all attempted to claim Luter. The Raiders had priority.
Why is this important? Well, the Raiders grabbed a guy with that No. 1 waiver wire pick that not many fans had heard of. And of course, when something like that happens, fans tend to question the decision-making from up top.
But in this case, it shows they went and got a guy who was wanted around the league. They got a guy other teams know as a ball player. Luter brings much-needed experience to the Raiders’ cornerback group.
Raiders have to be excited for Darrell Luter
Luter brings experience with 27 NFL games under his belt, 17 of which came last season. He started three times and has recorded a fumble recovery, a pass deflection, a forced fumble, a tackle for loss, and 38 total tackles. While his stats may not stand out, his experience is valuable in a Raiders cornerback group lacking proven talent.
Two rookies—fourth-round pick Jermod McCoy, a player many thought would be a first-rounder, and fifth-rounder Hezekiah Masses—are expected to see significant playing time for Las Vegas. Darien Porter, now in his second year, is still learning the cornerback position after switching from receiver at Iowa State just a few years ago. Porter has plenty of athleticism, but he’s still developing the other aspects of his game. Eric Stokes anchors the group as the top corner, but the team is counting on Luter to provide much-needed support.
Luter’s numbers hint at some untapped potential, but they also shed light on why San Francisco moved on. He played in 17 games last season, yet took coverage snaps in only seven of them.
Over 169 coverage plays, he allowed 10 receptions on 15 targets for 142 yards and one touchdown, with 12 of those passes deemed catchable, according to Sports Info Solutions. While the statistics aren’t impressive—especially in a small sample size—general manager John Spytek clearly sees qualities in Luter that might not be obvious to others.
