The Las Vegas Raiders have continued to reshape their defensive roster, securing cornerback Eric Stokes on a one-year, $4 million contract, as reported by NFL Media. Stokes, who recently celebrated his 26th birthday, was a first-round selection by the Green Bay Packers in 2021, chosen with the 29th overall pick. Known for his exceptional speed, Stokes brings 32 NFL starts to the Raiders. He enjoyed a promising start to his career, starting 14 games as a rookie and nine in his second season. However, injuries have hampered his progress, limiting him to a total of nine starts over the past two seasons and causing him to miss 22 games in 2022 and 2023.
Las Vegas Raiders Free Agency: Eric Stokes Signs 1-Year Contract
Stokes, a product of the University of Georgia, started seven games in 2024. With the Raiders, he will likely serve as a rotational player or compete with Jakorian Bennett for a starting role, depending on the team’s further acquisitions in free agency and the upcoming draft. The Raiders have been actively seeking to bolster their cornerback depth.
This Raiders free agency signing comes after nickel cornerback Nate Hobbs agreed to a four-year, $48 million deal with the Packers on Monday. Currently, the Raiders’ cornerback roster includes Jack Jones, Bennett, Stokes, Decamerion Richardson, Kyu Blu Kelly, and Sam Webb, along with the versatile Lonnie Johnson, who can play both safety and cornerback.
In addition to Stokes and Johnson, the Raiders have also recently agreed to terms with safety Jeremy Chinn and linebacker Elandon Johnson, demonstrating their commitment to strengthening their defense.