Raiders roster: Undrafted free agent cornerbacks face steep climb

Mello Dotson, Greedy Vance, John Humphrey have grueling challenge to make Las Vegas’ roster

With a group of 10 in the room, the Las Vegas Raiders’ cornerback room is tied with the defensive tackle spot with the most players vying for roster spots this offseason.

This isn’t surprising, of course.

The cornerback position went through an offseason flux that saw 2024 starters Jack Jones and Nate Hobbs no longer in Silver & Black.

Jones, a perimeter defender that started 16 of 17 games last season (69 total tackles, three interceptions, 16 passes defensed), remains on the free agent market after being released. Hobbs meanwhile, a slot corner that started seven of 11 games he played in 2024 (49 total tackles, one interception, five passes defensed), inked a free agent deal with the Green Bay Packers.

Of the 10 cornerbacks currently on the roster, five are new faces in Las Vegas. One is a veteran free agent addition (Eric Stokes), one is a third-round pick (68th overall; Darien Porter) in the 2025 NFL Draft, and there’s a trio of undrafted free agents (UDFAs; Mello Dotson, Greedy Vance, and John Humphrey). This five will compete with five incumbents trying to earn roster spots and snaps under head coach Pete Carroll and defensive coordinator Patrick Graham.

Let’s focus on the trio of UDFAs. While each had productive collegiate careers and bring talent, they each face a steep uphill climb to become Raiders.

• Mello Dotson, Kansas, 6-foot-1, 190 pounds. 2024 season: 49 total tackles, five interceptions (two returned for touchdowns), seven passes defensed.
• Greedy Vance, USC, 5-foot-9, 182 pounds. 2024 season: 29 total tackles, one interception, two passes defensed.
• John Humphrey, USC, 6-foot-2, 193 pounds. 2024 season: 23 total tackles, one interception, three passes defensed.

A ballhawk for the Jayhawks, Dotson turned four of his 12 interceptions into end zone visits during his four years as a starter in Kansas. He has good size at 6-foot-1 and 192 pounds and boasts 31 ¹⁄₂ inch arms.

But why did Dotson end up undrafted?

He clocked in a 4.59 40-yard dash time at the NFL Combine and on tape, his lack of long speed is apparent. When plays are in front of him, Dotson is quick to pull the trigger, takes impressive angles, and is a supreme nuisance. But when plays end up past the first level, Dotson’s lack of athleticism shows up big time. He’s got ample skillset for a zone cover man but if he’s got to trail or man up on a receiver, Dotson can struggle. And now he’ll go up against NFL speed.

Perhaps, with his instincts and play making ability on the first level, he can transition into a slot defender. Although, he was a perimeter/boundary corner in college. Still, Hobbs was a pure outside corner who transitioned into a solid slot defender.

Vance, at a shade under 5-foot-10 and a light 182 pounds, profiles more as a nickel defender. He did earn snaps inside at USC in 2024 and brings the requisite aggressiveness and willingness. His biggest play as a Trojan was his lone interception of the season to seal the game for USC against Nebraska.

Yet, Vance will undoubtedly need to add more bulk to his frame and his 4.65 40 time at USC’s pro day leaves plenty to be desired, too.

Humphrey, meanwhile, also played for USC in 2024 after starting his collegiate career at UCLA. A taller corner at 6-foot-2 and 193 pounds, Humphrey has 33 ¹⁄₄ inch arms, which definitely suits the Carroll-preferred measurements he wants from cornerbacks.

Humphrey clocked in a faster 40 time at the Trojans’ pro day (4.56) but there’s a glut of outside cornerbacks in Las Vegas while the team is light on nickel/slot defenders.

As mentioned above, Dotson, Vance, and Humphrey are part of a group of 10 that’ll vie for snaps on defense and special teams.

Porter, who was drafted compared to his undrafted counterparts, is nearly 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds, brings old-school Raiders pure speed to his game. The Iowa State product fits all the Carroll requirements and has explosive speed to boot.

There’s also incumbents Jakorian Bennett, Decamerion Richardson, and Sam Webb looking to earn snaps while veteran addition Eric Stokes is going to do the same as boundary corners.

At slot, incumbent Darnay Holmes is likely going to be first man up while second-year safety Thomas Harper is slated to dabble at nickel corner and safety.

Carroll has stated often the Raiders will have open competition this offseason and a true fight for roster spots and snaps should bring out the best of everyone on the roster. It also means, despite draft status or veteran status, everyone has a chance to knock each other out of roster contention.

While it’s a steep uphill climb for the trio of UDFA cornerbacks the grueling path towards a Raiders roster spot will make them better. The defensive depth chart may be difficult to crack, but there’s always opportunities on special teams under coach Tom McMahon.