Bryce Callahan, Cornerback
Raiders’ corner Gareon Conley took a big step in his development during the 2018 season. He started 14 out of the 15 games he appeared in, making 37 combined tackles with three interceptions and 15 passes defended. The 15 PD were good for fifth in the NFL.
With Rashaan Melvin a free agent, and players like Daryl Worley and Leon Hall not looking like long-term answers, the Raiders must find more cornerback help to pair with Conley. Bears’ slot corner Bryce Callahan could be the answer.
Callahan was somewhat lost in the fold in Chicago. With defensive studs like Kyle Fuller and Eddie Jackson in the secondary, not many were aware of Callahan. But even though he didn’t have as much name recognition as his teammates, Callahan performed well as a starter and could look for a larger role in FA.
In his four year career, Callahan amassed 122 tackles with four sacks, four interceptions and twenty passes defended. He earned an impressive 81.4 grade from Pro Football Focus. The site named Callahan one of the most under-the-radar free agents in the 2019 class:
Slot cornerbacks rarely get paid in free agency, but that doesn’t mean they’re not valuable. In fact, our data found that targeting the slot was actually more valuable than receivers split wide. Over the last two seasons, targeting Callahan in the slot has netted opposing quarterbacks a passer rating of 74.3 (2017) and 78.9 (2018) – both top-five figures each season.
In Oakland, Callahan would likely continue to work in his slot role, the role he has excelled in. There’s also a chance the team uses him on the outside, but at 5’8″ he is likely used better on the inside. With Conley working on the team’s best receiver and Callahan in the slot, the Raiders would be starting to build one of the better secondaries in the league.
While pass rush might be more of a priority, the Raiders need help all over their defense. Adding a guy like Callahan might not be the most splashy addition, but he could pay dividends in the team’s secondary.
He has done nothing but produce during his short career and could be a player to build around for the Oakland Raiders.
