What Losing Cornerback Jack Jones Means to the Raiders Secondary
The Las Vegas Raiders’ release of cornerback Jack Jones on April 6, 2025, sends ripples through their secondary, exposing both a gap and a chance to redefine the unit. Jones’ departure, saving $3.4 million in cap space, ends a stint marked by electric highs, three interceptions and 16 passes defended in 2024, and glaring lows, like a 75% completion rate against him and a 105.3 passer rating allowed. For a secondary already stretched thin, this move forces the Raiders to confront a critical rebuilding phase in a division with elite quarterbacks top to bottom.
Jones’ exit leaves Jakorian Bennett, Decamerion Richardson, and Eric Stokes as the top outside corners, a trio with potential but little certainty. Bennett flashed before a 2024 shoulder injury, Richardson faltered as a rookie, and Stokes, a former first-rounder, remains inconsistent. The nickel spot pits Darnay Holmes against Thomas Harper, neither a proven standout. This group lacks the cohesion to stifle Patrick Mahomes or Justin Herbert, making reinforcement a priority.
The 2025 NFL Draft offers hope, with the Raiders’ No. 6 pick aligning perfectly to snag Michigan’s Will Johnson, a lockdown corner with size and speed who could anchor the secondary. Johnson, a Jim Thorpe Award contender, might pair with Bennett and Richardson to form a young, ascending trio. Yet, the draft is weeks away, and free agency still holds options. As of now, notable defensive backs like cornerback Rasul Douglas, a savvy zone defender with two pick-sixes in 2021, and safety Justin Simmons, a versatile playmaker, remain unsigned. Either could provide instant stability, though their price tags and fit in Vegas’ scheme are unknowns.
Jones’ loss isn’t catastrophic, his inconsistency was a liability, but it magnifies a vulnerability. The Raiders could pursue a free agent stopgap while banking on Johnson in the draft, blending short-term fixes with long-term vision. Without bold action, though, this secondary risks being a weak link on a defense with playoff ambitions. The AFC West won’t wait, and neither should Las Vegas. Whether through free agency or the draft, the clock is ticking to solidify this unit.