The Las Vegas Raiders revamped their secondary this offseason under general manager John Spytek. Head coach Pete Carroll is known to like a certain type of defensive back, so he was picky when constructing the room.
Out were last year's starters, Nate Hobbs and Jack Jones, and in came long-armed, big-framed players like free agent Eric Stokes and third-round pick Darien Porter. Returning starter Jakorian Bennett has seemingly been demoted to the second team as a result.
Las Vegas could still use another veteran addition to the group, as no player has appeared in more than 45 career games at the NFL level.
One potential solution could be Buccaneers cornerback Jamel Dean, who is familiar with Spytek from the six years that they spent together in Tampa Bay. CBS Sports' Cody Benjamin outlined why this move could make sense for both parties.
"Dean's six-year run with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers includes a Super Bowl title and big-money extension, but the veteran has been frequently mentioned as a potential cut or trade candidate due to a $15 million 2025 cap hit, almost all of which the Bucs could clear from their books by dealing Dean elsewhere," Benjamin wrote. "Las Vegas is a logical landing spot firstly because new coach Pete Carroll still lacks formidable answers at cornerback, secondly because the Raiders have more than $30 million in available cap space, and thirdly because there's a personal connection here: New general manager John Spytek directed the Bucs' player personnel department when Dean was drafted in 2019."
While these all sound like solid reasons for a trade to get done, there are some limiting factors for both Dean and the Raiders.
"Even if Dean is more serviceable than special at a lofty price, the Bucs are trying to defend their NFC South crown," Benjamin wrote. "Jettisoning such an experienced corner would put immediate pressure on rookie corners like Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish to have a playoff-caliber impact."
Through six NFL seasons, Dean has the aforementioned Super Bowl victory under his belt, as well as 313 career tackles, eight interceptions and 52 passes defended. At just 28 years old, he should have plenty more in the tank as well.
Carroll may be fixated on developing the team's young cornerbacks, but for an aging coach, this win-now move might be the best course of action.
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