Raiders sign cornerback Duke Shelley
March 23, 2023
Hunter Macias
Las Vegas Raiders Sign Bargain Free Agent Duke Shelley to Bolster Cornerback Depth
Free Agency
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Raiders Sign Bargain Free Agent Duke Shelley to Bolster Cornerback Depth
The Las Vegas Raiders have once again made a savvy move by adding cornerback Duke Shelley to their roster as a bargain free agent. Shelley, who spent some time with the Minnesota Vikings and started a playoff game in the 2022 season, brings depth and experience to the Raiders' secondary. This comes just a day after the team signed David Long from the Los Angeles Rams.
Raiders Could Target Cornerback in Upcoming Draft
Shelley and Long have similar career trajectories as mostly career backups, but they will likely compete for a rotational role in Las Vegas. The Raiders are still searching for the right combination of players at the cornerback position and could potentially use their No. 7 overall pick in the upcoming draft to address the position. Oregon’s Christian Gonzalez and Illinois’ Devin Witherspoon are both possibilities.
Shelley Has Strong Ties to Raiders Front Office
Shelley's ties to the Raiders run deep, as he was drafted in the sixth round by the Chicago Bears in 2019 when now Las Vegas assistant general manager Champ Kelly was part of the Bears' front office. Despite being considered small at 5-foot-9 and 176 pounds, Shelley has made significant strides in his game. Last season, he recorded a career-high 31 tackles and eight passes defensed.
Shelley Brings Experience and Potential Impact to Raiders' Secondary
In his four-year NFL career, Shelley has 11 starts in 41 games. He started a career-high five games last season and recorded his first career interception in 2022. With Shelley's experience and improvement in his game, he could potentially make a significant impact in the Raiders' secondary and help the team compete in the AFC West.
Shelley and Long Add Much-Needed Depth
The Raiders have been active in free agency this offseason, signing several bargain players with ties to the team's front office. The addition of Shelley and Long adds much-needed depth to the cornerback position and provides healthy competition for playing time. The Raiders will hope that their offseason moves translate into success on the field in the upcoming season.