Raiders sign veteran cornerback, claim 2 players off waivers

The Raiders continued to remake their roster Wednesday by strengthening their defensive line and cornerback rooms.

One of the new additions is veteran cornerback Darnay Holmes, who signed with the team Wednesday. The 2020 fourth-round pick has played all four of his NFL seasons for the Giants. He was released by New York on Tuesday.

Holmes has four interceptions, 115 tackles and 18 pass breakups in 54 career games. He played under Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham in 2020 and 2021 when Graham held the same position with the Giants.

The team also claimed defensive back Thomas Harper and defensive tackle Jonah Laulu off waivers Wednesday. Laulu, who was taken by the Colts in the seventh round of April’s draft, is a Las Vegas native and played at Centennial High School.

The Raiders waived 2023 third-round pick Byron Young as one of their corresponding moves. The defensive tackle has yet to establish himself in the NFL, but could join the team’s practice squad if he clears waivers. He has a long ways to go after frustrating the Raiders the last 18 months with his lack of urgency and energy.

The team opened up two additional roster spots by waiving 2024 seventh-round pick M.J. Devonshire and placing veteran cornerback Brandon Facyson on injured reserve.

Devonshire, a cornerback, is another practice squad candidate. The Raiders have three openings remaining. Facyson, who practiced Tuesday after missing more than three weeks with an undisclosed injury, must miss the first four games of the season but is eligible to return afterward.

Concern alleviated

Holmes, 26, figures to be Facyson’s immediate replacement as a rotational cornerback.

The Raiders lacked depth at the position before Wednesday. The only other cornerback on the active roster besides Holmes and starters Nate Hobbs, Jack Jones and Jakorian Bennett is fourth-round rookie Decamerion Richardson.

Richardson remains in the Raiders’ plans and could see the field at some point this season, but adding Holmes prevents the team from having to rush Richardson’s development.

This isn’t the first time Facyson has dealt with injuries, either. He missed all but three games last season with a leg injury he suffered in minicamp.

“It’s just tough, and it’s put a lot of these younger corners out ahead,” coach Antonio Pierce said. “It’s good for them in preseason and training camp to get reps, but I’m not a believer of throwing young corners out there early if they’re not quite ready.”

More versatility

Holmes, during his time in New York, lined up in the slot for 1,516 snaps, on the perimeter for 135 snaps and in the box for 93 snaps.

His ability to play all over the field should be a boost for the Raiders if injuries arise.

Harper, 23, brings flexibility as well. The undrafted free agent out of Notre Dame is listed as a safety, but he played cornerback in college. He had 39 tackles, three pass breakups, two sacks and a forced fumble last season for the Fighting Irish and caught the Raiders’ attention in the preseason.

Harper played 40 snaps for the Chargers and had six tackles, a sack and a pass breakup.

Laulu, 24, brings more depth to what should be a fearsome Raiders’ defensive line this season. He had 11 tackles, three tackles for loss and a sack at Oklahoma last year.

Contact Vincent Bonsignore at vbonsignore@reviewjournal.com. Follow @VinnyBonsignore on X.