The Las Vegas Raiders loaded up on draft picks, trading back multiple times on Day 2 of the NFL Draft. They didn’t make a ton of selections on defense, but cornerback Darien Porter was one of them. With training camp approaching, there’s been a lot of chatter surrounding this promising rookie.
The defense lost some key faces this offseason, but Porter could be a nice addition if he can continue to develop the way the Raiders hope he will. Let’s take a look at where he’ll fit on the roster in his debut season—as well as the way the Raiders will try to utilize his skill set in general.
Where will Darien Porter fit in the depth chart?
The cornerback position in general is one that will look different for the Raiders. They lost Nate Hobbs, who was a stalwart for them recently. It seems clear that Jakorian Bennett will get a starting role after having some impressive moments in a solid sophomore campaign last year.
As for Porter, with a strong camp, he could earn the other starting spot on the outside. The Raiders did bring in Eric Stokes, though, a veteran whose experience could push him into the starting role in Week 1. Porter’s skill set isn’t especially suited for the nickel role, but with Hobbs gone, that’s a spot the Raiders are still looking for a long-term answer.
Apart from Bennett, Porter is the corner the Raiders are most excited about. Despite being a third-round pick, Porter won’t automatically earn a starting spot to begin the season. With a strong summer, though, Porter could force his way into that conversation.
How does Porter fit in Patrick Graham’s defense?
Watching Porter develop as a player should be fun. He’s new to the position, converting from wide receiver to cornerback just a couple of years ago. For that reason, he’s not as refined as other corners his age. On the flip side, he’s got more potential than most.
Pete Carroll loves physical corners who can press, and that’s something Porter should be able to do relatively quickly. He’s tall and long at 6’4″, and his lengthy arms will make it easier for him to jam receivers off the line of scrimmage. Despite his size, he’s incredibly quick as well. His length and quickness offer him significant potential in man coverage, an area the Raiders have been lacking recently.
However, Patrick Graham likes to run more zone coverage than man. Porter has the tools to be successful here as well. The Raiders play zone more often than most teams in the league, so it’s something he’ll have to be able to do to have success in Las Vegas.
In Cover 2, his length should help him slow receivers off the line of scrimmage, and then he can simply monitor the flats. In Cover 3, his athleticism should help him more. Porter has outstanding burst and can change directions and close on the ball quickly.
As a former receiver, there are many traits Porter has that can help him at cornerback. At 6’4″, he’s going to be tough in contested catch situations. His ability to track balls and make contested catches as a receiver will lend him some help here.
Ultimately, there’s a lot to be excited about with Porter. Granted, there’s a chance he never really makes that full transition to cornerback, and maybe he can’t figure it all out. However, if he successfully makes the change, his potential is boundless. He has all the tools to be successful in both man and zone coverage. Overall, he should fit perfectly in Graham’s defense. Judging by the lack of overall depth at corner, he could get plenty of opportunities to prove himself in his rookie season.
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