Finally, the Las Vegas Raiders have added some veteran depth to their cornerback group, signing Darnay Holmes ahead of the 2024 season. After pleading with the front office since the start of the offseason, the Raiders’ front office has given fans a defensive back signing to be excited about with the addition of a veteran cornerback in their secondary.
Holmes will reunite with his former defensive coordinator, Patrick Graham. Graham served as the Giants’ defensive coordinator in 2020 and 2021 for Holmes’ first two seasons in the NFL.
The Giants selected Holmes in the fourth-round of the 2020 NFL Draft after three seasons at UCLA. As a Giant, Holmes saw the most time on the field with Graham as the play-caller, notching nine starts across 23 games in his first two seasons in the NFL.
Since Graham’s exit in New York, Holmes has notched just two starts over the last two seasons, appearing in 31 games. Holmes had arguably his best season last year, grabbing two interceptions while allowing 12 receptions for 152 yards and a passer rating of just 64.8. Holmes is slated to rotate in behind Jack Jones and Jakorian Bennett but could see some time as a starter, given either player ahead of him struggles.
Neither Jones nor Bennett is very far ahead of Holmes on a talent scale and the newest Raider’s experience in his coordinator’s system could help him see the field early and often into the season. Holmes also offers solid versatility and can play on the outside or in the slot, making him an even greater threat to start as the season approaches.
While it may not be the flashiest signing, Holmes will provide good depth with the potential to see starting reps for a thin Raiders defensive back group.
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