The Raiders’ cornerback room has room for another proven body, and Jaylon Jones looks like the kind of name that makes sense if Las Vegas wants more stability on the back end.
Right now, the Week 1 depth chart lists Eric Stokes, Darien Porter and Taron Johnson as the starting corners. That gives the Raiders a base, but not much cushion.
Behind that group, rookies Jermod McCoy and Hezekiah Masses are in the mix, and ESPN’s Ryan McFadden reported that Masses even got work in the slot during training camp. Las Vegas also picked up Darrell Luter Jr., though his track record is limited to three starts in 27 games with the San Francisco 49ers.
That’s why the Raiders could still be in the market for another addition, especially after John Spytek’s decision to emphasize the cornerback spot after the roster cuts deadline.
Jones, recently waived by the Indianapolis Colts, is now free to sign anywhere. For a Raiders team that could use more experience in a young secondary, he deserves a hard look.
The Athletic’s Sam Warren said the No. 2 cornerback job in Las Vegas still isn’t settled, writing, " Porter has staked his claim as the starter opposite Stokes, though rookies McCoy and Masses should continue to challenge him for that role throughout the season."
Porter is expected to open the season opposite Stokes on the boundary, but his grip on the job won’t be automatic. If he slips, Masses and McCoy are there to push for playing time.
Both rookies bring upside, but inexperience can show up fast in coverage. Jones could help bridge that gap.
What makes him appealing is the résumé. Over three seasons in Indianapolis, Jones started 29 of 44 games and collected 21 pass breakups and two interceptions. In 2024, he started every game, gave up only one touchdown and posted a passer rating allowed of 86.0 out of 158.3.
His next season took a different turn. With Indianapolis bringing in a new defensive coordinator in Lou Anarumo, Jones fell out of favor and eventually landed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury.
Still, there’s reason to believe he can help. SI.com’s Noah Compton pointed to the work Jones did just to stick on the roster, saying, " He’d been in DC Lou Anarumo’s doghouse due to a poor schematic fit, but Jones scratched and clawed his way onto the team. What an impressive turnaround."
Jones didn’t get to Week 1 in Indianapolis, but he has already shown he can handle a starting role. At 24, he also fits the Raiders’ timeline.
This wouldn’t be a veteran stopgap for a young team trying to patch a hole. It would be a chance to add another corner with real starting experience to a secondary that still needs somebody to seize a bigger role.
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That shift matters for a team that took plenty of heat when it used a first-round pick on Bowers in the first place, only for the move to start looking smarter to outside evaluators. The more intriguing question now is how far the Raiders are willing to go in pushing his role beyond the traditional tight-end label, especially with some around the game already talking about him in terms usually reserved for wide receivers. [Read more 🡒]