The Oakland Raiders have had quite a few issues in their young secondary in 2019. With that in mind, Florida cornerback C.J. Henderson would make a lot of sense for them in the 2020 NFL Draft.
With just one week remaining in the regular season, Oakland has the 25th-ranked pass defense in the NFL. The Raiders have allowed 262.6 passing yards per game. On top of that, they have shown an inability to find consistent players in the secondary in recent seasons.
Over the past couple of years, the Raiders have drafted Gareon Conley, Karl Joseph, Trayvon Mullen, and Johnathan Abram. The team has also signed the likes of Daryl Worley, Nevin Lawson, and Lamarcus Joyner in free agency.
Regardless of who they drafted or signed, either injuries or inconsistencies have hurt Oakland's secondary. Additionally, the team has already moved on from Conley after less than three seasons with the organization.
Without a doubt, Oakland could use a long-term solution at the cornerback position. In light of that, the Raiders should consider using one of their first-round selections on Henderson.
Due to the Khalil Mack trade, the Raiders own the Chicago Bears' first-round pick in 2020. Therefore, Oakland is projected to have the 14th and 18th overall pick in next year's draft.
Henderson, a junior out of Florida, is expected to be one of the first cornerbacks taken off the board. In his freshman season at Florida, Henderson turned some heads as he totaled 22 tackles and four deflections.
Above all, Henderson showed off his playmaking ability with four interceptions and two touchdowns. During his time at Florida, scouts were enamored with his athleticism.
The standout cornerback would build upon his freshman campaign with 38 tackles, three sacks, five deflections, and two interceptions in 2018. Just a year later, Henderson proved his freshman season wasn't a fluke.
As for 2019, the junior cornerback has taken a step back in his game. The Gators' No. 1 cornerback has tallied 33 tackles, one sack, 11 deflections, and zero interceptions.
While he's continued to be a talented cornerback, he's struggled to make tackles. At the same time, he's also been inconsistent in his coverages in his third season in college.
Some scouts believe that Henderson could wind up falling out of the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. On the other hand, most think he could remain in the first round due to his size and athleticism.
At 6-1, 200 pounds, Henderson has prototypical size for a cornerback in today's NFL. By selecting Henderson, Oakland could find a long-term solution at cornerback alongside Mullen.
Considering that the Raiders have two first-round picks, Henderson is a viable option for them. There's no doubt that Mike Mayock will have him on his radar in the 2020 NFL Draft.
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