While former college teammate Marshon Lattimore was winning Defensive Rookie of the Year, Oakland Raiders cornerback Gareon Conley was sitting out most of his rookie year due to a shin injury. The first-round pick ended up playing just two games before having to undergo surgery and going on injured reserve.
But Conley is back to full health this season and was a full participant during OTAs. Head coach Jon Gruden is expecting big things from the young cornerback, whom he described as “special.”
“It’s great to see Conley out there,” Gruden said per Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “We’re counting on him. We need him. But to see Rashaan Melvin and Conley and Daryl Worley competing is really exciting. Conley is special. He’s a top pick in this draft for a reason. I think from a confidence standpoint, he needs to get some work in out here.”
The Raiders completely retooled their cornerback depth chart this season after that unit played so poorly in 2017. They’ve added the likes of in Rashaan Melvin, Leon Hall, Shareece Wright, Senquez Golson, and Daryl Worley in free agency. Conley is basically the only holdover from that group, but even he has to get up to speed after missing so much of his rookie year.
Nevertheless, Gruden is expecting Conley to be a key part of their cornerback group this season. Conley certainly has the talent to be an impact player; he was right there with Lattimore among the top-rated corners in last year’s draft. If Conley can stay healthy and consistently be the “special” player Gruden envisions, the Raiders secondary should see some marked improvement this year.
Follow Us
Subscribe