DEAL SEALED: Raiders Have Officially Agreed a Deal To Sign 4-Time Pro Bowl Cornerback With Immediate Effect.

In Week 2, the Las Vegas Raiders defeated the Baltimore Ravens 26-23 on the road, bringing their season record to 1-1. Still, the Raiders’ 2024 roster lacks depth at quarterback and in the defensive secondary.

Bleacher Report, which ranked cornerback as the Raiders’ third most essential roster need heading into Week 3, has pushed Antonio Pierce’s team to sign free agency cornerback Xavien Howard “now.”

The Miami Dolphins released the four-time Pro Bowler in March before of the 2024 league year, and he was “expected to have significant interest on the market,” according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. However, that never materialized, at least not enough to result in a new team. “It’s kind of amazing that Howard hasn’t been signed yet,” Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine said. “Even though he’s had some injury concerns, he’s been a solid player on the field.

That is something the Raiders could use. They are counting on many young men to take the next step in their growth. Signing Howard would provide them with a viable option if Jakorian Bennett does not take the next step.” Before his release, Howard, 31, completed two seasons of the five-year, $90 million deal extension he signed with Miami in April 2022.

Throughout his eight-year NFL career, the former second-round pick has shown flashes of domination, including an All-Pro season in 2020 where he led the league in interceptions (10) and pass breakups (20). He has only one interception, 12 pass deflections, and 45 tackles over the last two seasons.