The Raiders continued fleshing out their secondary Friday, agreeing on terms of a contract with safety Curtis Riley, the team announced.
The former New York Giant visited the team's Alameda facility Thursday and left without a deal, but he ended up taking the Raiders' offer despite interest from other teams.
We have signed S Curtis Riley: https://t.co/TJftlSU6dY #RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/qCtv9Imu4B— Oakland Raiders (@Raiders) March 22, 2019
Riley hinted at a pact on Twitter, saying he was coming to the Bay Area. He'll exchange coasts after starting all 16 games at free safety with last year's Giants. He had 75 tackles, four interceptions and five pass breakups for that squad.
He'll have an opportunity to play significant snaps in the Raiders' secondary. High-priced free-agent signing Lamarcus Joyner also is a free safety but is expected to play slot cornerback regularly in 2019, likely shuttling back and forth between positions.
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Riley could step in as the free safety in sub packages that defenses spend significant time in nowadays. Erik Harris will compete for that role opposite strong safety Karl Joseph.
The Raiders have options in the secondary now, with the aforementioned safeties and depth at cornerback. Gareon Conley is a virtual lock to start at one outside cornerback spot. Daryl Worley is expected to return on a second-round free-agent tender, through Thursday's signing, Nevin Lawson, will compete for time there as well. Last year's fourth-round pick, Nick Nelson, will have to fight for time with this new defensive back depth chart.
The Raiders could draft another defensive back as well, especially if a good one slips and becomes a great value pick.
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News of Riley's agreement should excite quarterback Derek Carr. Riley's a fellow Fresno State alum, and was teammates with Carr in 2013.
Let's gooooo!— Derek Carr (@derekcarrqb) March 22, 2019
The Raiders also had interest in George Iloka, who played with defensive coordinator Paul Guenther in Cincinnati. Iloka visited the Raiders' complex Thursday, but he left without a deal and scheduled other visits.
