Pete Carroll’s Seahawks teams were known for the depth and the physicality of the so-called “Legion of Boom” secondary, featuring Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor.
It’s no surprise Carroll, a college safety, emphasized that area of the defense. The investment paid off when Seattle won Super Bowl 48.
Carroll, now the Raiders coach, has some foundational pieces in place with his new team. But there are also several holes to fill.
Here’s where things stand in the Raiders secondary this offseason:
Under contract
Jack Jones, Jakorian Bennett, Decamerion Richardson, Chris Smith II, Kyu Blu Kelly, Trey Taylor, Thomas Harper, M.J. Devonshire
Pending free agents
Marcus Epps (unrestricted), Tre’von Moehrig (unrestricted), Darnay Holmes (unrestricted), Nate Hobbs (unrestricted), Isaiah Pola-Mao (restricted), Sam Webb (exclusive rights)
2024 recap
Epps suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 3, which opened the door for Pola-Mao to emerge as an effective starting safety.
Moehrig also responded well at the other safety spot with a breakout campaign. The 25-year-old can now use his impressive contract year to earn a huge raise with the Raiders or elsewhere.
Rookies Harper and Taylor were solid on special teams, though Harper was tremendous on defense in Week 17. He could be ready to earn more snaps at safety next season.
At corner, Bennett took a step forward his second year in the NFL before missing the Raiders’ final seven games with a shoulder injury.
Jones was up and down, making some splash plays while also being on the wrong end of some others. Hobbs continued to show toughness and grit as he battled through injuries.
Richardson, a 2024 fourth-round pick, looked like a rookie at times, but also flashed some of the traits that caused the Raiders to draft him.
Level of need: Moderately high
Pola-Mao’s play could lead the Raiders to let Epps walk in free agency. The team should be able to re-sign Pola-Mao if it wants to given his restricted status.
Moehrig will be a tough decision. He’s a valuable player but should be expensive. It would also be asking a lot of the team’s young players to step in and replace him.
It’s possible Hobbs goes elsewhere. The Raiders’ new regime of Carroll and general manager John Spytek could also decide to move on from Jones, who had a long history with previous coach Antonio Pierce.
Corner would become one of the Raiders’ top priorities if Hobbs and Jones are no longer on the roster.
How can they address things?
The Raiders, if they elect to let Moehrig leave, should search for a veteran addition at safety.
Jevon Holland, Justin Reid and Talanoa Hufanga are all expected to be available this offseason. Another potential target is Camryn Bynum, who seems like the kind of player Carroll would want.
There are also plenty of cornerbacks the Raiders could be interested in if Hobbs, Jones or both are gone. It’s a good year to be in the market for a corner, with players like D.J. Reed, Charvarius Ward, Byron Murphy, Mike Jackson and Carlton Davis, who was drafted by Spytek in Tampa Bay, set to hit free agency.
The Raiders will have options in the draft as well, though the cornerback class isn’t considered elite at the top. The team may be better served paying for starters in free agency and then looking to the draft for depth.
Contact Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AdamHillLVRJ on X.
