The Raiders traded away third-year cornerback Jakorian Bennett last week, and there has been some speculation the team might look to add a veteran cornerback before the start of the season.
They may add another cornerback in the weeks ahead, but for now it sounds like the Raiders are interested in seeing more from some of the younger players on the roster.
Former first-round pick Erik Stokes seems to have emerged as the top cornerback on the roster, but behind Stokes on the depth chart are a few lesser-known names that have been shining at training camp in recent days.
Decamerion Richardson has received positive reviews in the last two weeks, but on Tuesday it was another young cornerback creating buzz at training camp.
Raider Nation Radio host Q Myers talked about Kyu Blu Kelly and the Raiders’ young cornerback room, and he believes the competition is getting tighter at the position.
“Stokes feels like he’s solidified as one corner [and]… Darien Porter looks like he’s in line to get that other job. I mean, he’s the one that’s been running [at] outside corner with the ones for the most time. But Tuesday, it was not something that snuck under the radar [and] we didn’t notice it. Kyu Blu Kelly was out there as the outside corner, and he was making plays,” Myers said on the Locked on Raiders podcast.
“Aiden O’Connell threw a pass that looked like it was going to the seats… like it was no chance that anyone was going to get that one. And [Kelly] skied up there and intercepted it and took it to the house,” Myers continued. “That competition at the outside corner spot doesn’t feel like it’s as wrapped up as it was. It felt like it was Stokes and Porter. Now it feels like it’s Stokes and Porter, Kelly or [Decamerion Richardson]. It looks like any of those guys could slide in and be that opposite outside corner.”
For what it’s worth, Kelly grew up in Las Vegas and went to Bishop Gorman High School.
He went to Stanford University and was drafted in the fifth round of the 2023 draft by the Baltimore Ravens.
Just two years into his NFL career, Kelly has already bounced around five different teams – the Ravens, Seahawks, Packers, Commanders and now the Raiders.
x: @raidersbeat
Richardson Was part of the Hype train last preseason As well. And was burnt toast all season. From what I’ve seen against Seattle he was running around clueless again. Stop with the rhetoric.