The Raiders didn’t waste much time moving on from cornerback Eli Apple, as they signed veteran defensive back Damarious Randall on Thursday night, according to ESPN. Earlier Thursday, ESPN reported that the deal that the Raiders had reached with Apple earlier in free agency fell through. The Raiders pursued their next target and landed him
Raiders sign versatile defensive back in move that offsets loss of Eli Apple
Apple was one of the very few moves that I had some doubts about, mainly because of attitude.
This feels like a signing with more potential but it will be interesting to see where we are going to line him up as he has shown great versatility- slot to allow Joyner to move across and pair up with Abram or outside opposite Mullen, leaving Joyner in the slot. I dont think he has been signed as a safety, though.
A good addition, for me.
+1 Andy
There is nothing settled at S opposite Abram nor at CB opposite Mullen. As we have stated many times over, Gruden loves versatility.
This signing does not really move the needle for me, but at minimum it is depth and we need that.
Interesting, was Randall unavailable when the Raiders signed Apple? I wonder what the problem was with Apple’s agreement? Nice that he is versatile. Hopefully, he will fortify the defensive backfield.
Initial reports that the problem was physical with Apple.
From contract details, Randall is considerably cheaper at $3.25m so it seems to make a lot of sense, especially with the versatility factor….
Randall has been available the whole time. As I mentioned, his lasting this long likely was the result of his agent overestimating his market value. It happens every year, a handful of players overplay their hand, linger for a month or so, then take what they can get before teams are formed.
Randall is ok. The question is what position he will play. Sounds like safety.
Raiders definitely taking a DB in the first round, as well as WR