NFL analyst thinks Raiders rookie defender could pull off upset in camp battle

The Las Vegas Raiders are trying to sort out who starts on the boundary opposite Jack Jones in 2024, with the team seeing a competition between Jakorian Bennett and Brandon Facyson, and rookie fourth-round pick Decamerion Richardson.

Bennett figures to be the favorite, but he's certainly not a lock after what we saw out of him during his rookie campaign. Facyson is best suited as a depth piece, so he's no great shakes, and Richardson is a total unknown given his status as a rookie.

In a recent article naming Day 3 rookies who could earn starting roles in 2024, Pro Football Focus' Trevor Sikkema chose Richardson for the Raiders. Here's why:

Mississippi State cornerback Decamerion Richardson was an early Day 3 selection who had a chance to be a starter the second he was drafted. He is a good fit on a Raiders depth chart that desperately needs someone to step up at CB2.

At just over 6-foot-2 (95th percentile), Richardson brings ideal length and athleticism to the position, which was made known after he ran a 4.34-second 40-yard dash and jumped 10 feet, 8 inches in the broad. He earned an 86.5 PFF coverage grade last season with the Bulldogs due to his athleticism but was drafted on Day 3 because he didn’t record a single interception in his college career with just 10 forced incompletions. If he can develop better instincts and anticipation to make plays on the ball, that starting outside job could be his.

While not impossible, it remains unlikely that Richardson will grab a starting role out of training camp.

Granted, his competition isn't exactly stiff based on what we've seen out of them during their respective careers, but he's also acclimating to the NFL in his first training camp and chances are the Raiders will go with experience, barring a lights-out showing by Richardson in camp.

However, it is very realistic to think he could supplant whichever one of the players that ends up getting the job at some point during the season, as neither Bennett nor Facyson are sure things.