The Oakland Raiders keep on making surprises. After trading away pass rusher Khalil Mack, cutting and re-signing wide receiver Martavis Bryant, they are now designating wide receiver Johnny Holton, who has never played the cornerback position at any point of his career, to a cornerback role, Vic Tarfur of The Athletic reports.
Olson said Raiders are gong to give former receiver Johnny Holton a look at cornerback.
— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) September 13, 2018
This decision came after an extremely disappointing 33-13 blowout loss by the Raiders to the Los Angeles Rams in Wek 1 in which Oakland struggled to contain Brandin Cooks and company downfield. However, that’s probably just a secondary impetus for the Raiders to make Holton a cornerback. The Raiders have a glut of players on the wide receiver corps, but seemingly wants Holton to be on the roster, so that’s likely their primary reason in moving Johnny Holton to a different position, per Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Raiders OC Greg Olsen said that WR Johnny Holton has been moved to cornerback. “Just a valuable football player.” Team has logjam at WR. Holton has value on special teams. Could be way of getting him back on 53-man roster.
Holton signed a deal with the Raiders this month to be on the team’s practice squad.
Holton went undrafted in the 2016 NFL Draft, but was later inked to a three-year deal by Oakland. In two seasons with the team, Holton has amassed 252 receiving yards and three touchdowns in 31 games.
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