With two more exhibition games to play and the start of the regular season only three weeks away, the Raiders obviously aren’t satisfied with their depth at safety.
Veteran Charles Woodson, of course, is set at strong safety and free-agent addition Nate Allen is penciled in at free safety. The leading backups are Brandian Ross, Larry Asante and Jonathan Dowling.
Now several reports indicate that the team is signing free-agent veteran (and former 49er) Taylor Mays to add to the mix.
Mays, a second-round pick by the 49ers in 2010 out of USC (where he was a three-time All-America), would give the Raiders more depth and experience at the position. Mays recently was released by the Detroit Lions after playing four seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals.
With Cincinnati, Mays appeared in 50 games, with four starts. In one season with the 49ers, he started six games in 2010.
Bill Williamson of ESPN.com, who covers the Raiders, noted that Mays will join Raiders defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr., who was on the coaching staff at USC when he was at the school.
Meanwhile, one young player in the Raiders’ safety group is starting to impress coaches with his play – and could earn more starting time in 2015.
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Dowling, a seventh-round draft choice in 2014 from Western Kentucky who played seven games as a rookie (mostly on special teams), is coming off a solid game against the Vikings this past weekend.
Dowling made his first interception as a Raider while playing with the team’s second defensive unit. He’s also looked good in training camp this summer. In two exhibitions, he’s been in on two tackles.
In college, Dowling was a playmaker. The 6-foot-3 safety had a nose for the football. He had nine interceptions in 2012-2013, eight forced fumbles and 20 passes defensed. As he gets more snaps and experience this summer, he could earn more playing time in a secondary that’s still evolving.
He’ll get his next chance to make another good impression this Sunday night against the Arizona Cardinals.
