In the wake of the titanic deals signed by Von Miller and Muhammad Wilkerson, the Oakland Raiders extended waiver wire standout cornerback David Amerson, per NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport. The deal is worth a reported $38 million over 4 years with $18 million in guarantees.
Deal comes at a good time
The deal comes at a timely time for both the Raiders and Amerson, who joined the team after being released from the Redskins after week two of the 2015 NFL season. The Raiders will enter the 2016 season with a much better situation at cornerback than a season ago after also adding Sean Smith earlier this offseason.
Signing Amerson to a long term contract is a confirmation of confidence in the once beleaguered cornerback. After being a 2nd round pick of the Washington Redskins in 2013, Amerson did not live up to his draft status in the eyes of his former NFL employer. The 6’1" 200-pound corner found a home within the Raiders scheme in 2015, earning four interceptions in a starting role.
Critically, Amerson garnered rave reviews from not only teammates but also the media. For the 2015 season, Pro Football Focus named Amerson as the Most Improved Player, citing an opposing quarterback rating of 62.7 against him.
Amerson returning to made over unit
Amerson will return to a unit which has undergone a makeover for the better since season’s end. Despite the retirement of long-time Raiders stalwart and legitimate ageless wonder, Charles Woodson, the Raiders have added the aforementioned Sean Smith, Reggie Nelson, and first round draft pick, Karl Joseph, to 2016’s defensive backfield. If anything, the 6'3" Smith and 6'1" Amerson, the Raiders have an inside track to claim the crown of Legion of Boom south.
In 2015, the Raiders ranked 7th worst in the NFL in pass yards per game allowed (258.8) and tied for 13th overall in total interceptions (14). Amerson was credited for a turnaround in the Raiders pass defense last season, and will likely play a big role in the team’s improvement in the upcoming season. Ultimately, the Raiders are hoping their early investment in Amerson will prove to be both prudent and predictive of what Amerson can become within the Raiders defense.
