Three cornerbacks the Las Vegas Raiders need to target at pick No. 13 in the first round of the 2024 draft

The Las Vegas Raiders are looking for guys who will only make their future brighter. However, after being a few wins away from the playoffs last season, they need to hit on the draft and bring in some guys who can help immediately, too. Luckily, at pick No. 13, they can do that.Of course, the […]

Justin Churchill — College Football & NFL Trending News Writer
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Quinyon Mitchell Las Vegas Raiders
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Las Vegas Raiders are looking for guys who will only make their future brighter. However, after being a few wins away from the playoffs last season, they need to hit on the draft and bring in some guys who can help immediately, too. Luckily, at pick No. 13, they can do that.

Of course, the Raiders need a quarterback before anything else. They like Jayden Daniels and his relationship with Antonio Pierce when they were at Arizona State and even before that. But Daniels is projected to be a top-three pick, and the Raiders may be unable to trade up that high. Now, they can get one of the tier two guys at pick No. 13, or they can try and get one at pick No. 44 in the second round.

If they decide to grab a QB in round two, they should target a tackle or cornerback in round one. As far as cornerback, it's one of the deepest positions in this draft. Here are three guys at the position that the Raiders should target in round one:

Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo

Mitchell is the best cornerback in the draft on A to Z Sports' Big Board and the 18th-best prospect in the draft. He fits the Las Vegas Raiders defensive system perfectly, as defensive coordinator Patrick Graham loves guys who can play in press-man and be physical. He showed he could do that at the Senior Bowl when he won every one-on-one matchup that they threw at him.

The Raiders need a guy to put next to Jack Jones and possibly Jakorian Bennett, and Mitchell would be perfect in that sense. And he is a guy that could start right away. Would he have some rookie mistakes? Of course. However, he would instantly make the defense better. Here are some of his strengths and weaknesses:

STRENGTHS

  • Was the best defensive back at the Senior Bowl
  • Sturdy build with blazing recovery speed
  • Elite ball production, 27 PBUs in his last two seasons
  • Very disruptive at the catch point. Plays the ball with accurate & well-timed strikes
  • Explosive athlete quick response from off-coverage
  • He has good play strength to hold his ground & absorb contact down the field
  • Fluid start-stop ability to mirror double moves
  • Locks his eyes on the WR's hips & anticipates routes
  • Active run defender
  • Just 3 missed tackles in 2023

WEAKNESSES

  • Played almost exclusively off-coverage at Toldeo. 8.7% of snaps in the press the last two years
  • Flashed press skills at the Senior Bowl but still needs to refine their technique
  • Will open his hips to the sideline prematurely
  • Struggles to mirror shifty/nuanced route runners
  • Might need to play in a zone-heavy scheme with eyes on the QB
  • Rarely faced receivers that could challenge him
  • Worst game of his career against Ohio State (2022)
  • Misses with his punch & gets out of phase from catch coverage

Terrion Arnold, Alabama

We have talked about Terrion Arnold here a few different times, as he has talked to the Raiders before around the same time as the 2024 NFL Draft Combine. He has the mentality a Las Vegas Raiders player has, so he already fits in that way. He will not let anyone tell him he can't do something, and he believes he is already one of the best in the league before stepping foot in it. That's just how he is.

Many fans will love Arnold, and while he isn't as good of a press-man cornerback as Mitchell, he is the most balanced cornerback in this draft. He is good at both man and zone coverage but not elite at either. He has some room to grow, but he would be a great fit in Las Vegas both personality-wise and with his game. Here are some of his strengths and weaknesses:

STRENGTHS

  • Aggressive ball-hawk. 12 PBUs & 5 INTs in 2023
  • Disruptive & aggressive at the LOS
  • Stays on top of fade routes & works back to the football
  • Twitchy change of direction. Stays glued to the hip pocket on in-breaking routes
  • Accelerates out of his speed-turn & undercuts passing windows
  • Elite run defender. Led CBs in PFF RDEF grade (90.5)
  • Violent block shedder, heat-seaking missile in pursuit
  • Above average tackler
  • Rarely blitzed, but flashed potential as a pass rusher (Arkansas game)

WEAKNESSES

  • Undersized for an outside CB
  • Will miss with his hands at the LOS. Needs a tight pre-snap alignment to land his punch consistently
  • Over-commits & crosses feet vs. outside releases
  • Physical/grabby play-style could lead to more penalties in the NFL
  • Allows separation to comebacks if the WR swipes his hand down
  • Struggles to turn hips & accelerate from off coverage
  • Mediocre route anticipation & closing burst from off coverage
  • Undisciplined in zone coverage
  • Gets caught up in traffic vs. bunch formations

Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama

Personally, I think the only two cornerbacks they should target in the first round are the previous two we have talked about. However, if those two are off the board, and they still want to go with a cornerback because the offensive tackle fits aren't right, I wouldn't mind going after McKinstry. He was teammates with Arnold last season and was sometimes better than his former running mate.

However, his injury history has caused him to fall on some big boards. He is a very good cornerback with some great traits, but he continues to be overshadowed by his teammate Arnold. His personality could be a great fit for the Raiders. McKinstry is our 28th-ranked prospect and the fourth-ranked cornerback in the draft. Here are some of his strengths and weaknesses:

STRENGTHS

  • 3-year starter at Alabama
  • QBs avoided him in 2023. Targets dropped in half after leading CFB with 16 PBUs
  • Coordinated hand usage at the catch-point. Quick reaction time to match the WR's hands
  • Technically proficient CB that plays like a seasoned veteran
  • Patient & balanced footwork in press. He is willing to let the WR waste time with his release
  • Smooth lateral shuffle to crowd space at the LOS
  • Mirror route breaks as long as he's in phase
  • Made significant improvement defending curls/comebacks in 2023
  • Very smart zone, CB. Passes off switch releases & diagnoses complex route combinations
  • Reliable run defender & secure tackler

WEAKNESSES

  • Only two career interceptions
  • Doesn't usually punch quickly at the LOS. Much more comfortable playing soft-shoe press
  • Well-rounded athlete, but no elite traits
  • Lacks elite recovery speed. Will get stacked vertically
  • There is a slight delay in his transitions out of press
  • Average short-area burst to close space when he gets out of phase
  • Doesn't always come to balance as a tackler

The Las Vegas Raiders need a cornerback, and they could very well take one in the first round. If they did, there is a huge chance one of these three guys will be wearing silver and black next season.

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