Oakland Raiders: Should T.J. Carrie Start at Cornerback or Safety in 2016?

As the season winds down, it’s clear the Oakland Raiders need to revamp their secondary, but where does defensive back T.J. Carrie fit into the pass defense in 2016?

It’s not a simple answer, as Carrie can play both cornerback and safety. However, he’s excelled and struggled at both positions at different points of the season.

Then again, the coaching staff might have stretched him too far, constantly toggling the second-year pro between two positions.

The instability in his week-to-week assignments may explain his recent struggles in the secondary.

The added responsibilities hurt him most in Week 15, when he blew a coverage due to confusion, per San Francisco Chronicle writer Vic Tafur. 

In 2016, the coaching staff must give Carrie a definitive position to promote his growth, but which position should he play? Here are some factors to consider:

Woodson’s Retirement 

Veteran safety Charles Woodson will finally hang up his cleats after the 2015 season at age 39, and he’ll leave a huge void in the secondary. When considering safety Nate Allen’s injuries, there’s some deep concern at the position.

Woodson became the true ball hawk in the secondary, logging five interceptions as an early leader in the category.

Without him, the Raiders don’t have a bonafide threat to force turnovers, unless Allen returns to the Philadelphia Eagles version of himself. 

Player	Current Team
Eric Weddle	SD
Eric Berry	KC
Tashaun Gipson	CLE

The Raiders can spend cash on a cerebral safety like the San Diego Chargers' Eric Weddle or dual-threat safeties that can thump in the box and force turnovers like the Kansas City Chiefs' Eric Berry or the Cleveland Browns' Tashaun Gipson.

Carrie, who played a majority of the season at safety, could permanently replace Woodson and play alongside Allen.

Secondary Variables

Player	Position	Final Contract Year
D.J. Hayden	CB	2016
Neiko Thorpe	CB	2015/RFA
Larry Asante	S	2015/RFA
Tevin McDonald	S	2018/RFA
Dexter McDonald	CB	2018
Keith McGill	CB	2017
Taylor Mays	S	2015

The Raiders must make decisions on players under contract and expiring contracts.

Cornerback Neiko Thorpe and safety Larry Asante will become restricted free agents in the offseason. While Thorpe hasn’t earned a secure spot in the secondary, the Raiders should consider retaining Asante to maintain depth behind the starters. The fifth-year safety can play a physical role as an extra run defender in the box.

Cornerback D.J. Hayden poses the biggest question mark. He’s exhausted plenty of opportunities to take over as a starter. 

At this point, the tooth fairy isn’t real and the 2013 first-rounder doesn’t fit the bill as a promising talent in the league. He’ll enter a contract year, but he’s already past tense. The Raiders should and will likely turn to the draft and free agency to bolster the cornerback position.

Rookie cornerback Dexter McDonald should play in nickel and dime packages on the active roster in 2016. At 6’1”, 200 pounds, he can develop into a physical presence with solid coverage skills in the slot.

Draft Status

Believe it or not, the Raiders may not own a top-10 draft pick in 2016. Yes, improvement also means the team doesn’t get first dibs on highly touted prospects. The Raiders will likely fall between No. 10 and No. 15 in the draft order. Fortunately for Oakland, the upcoming draft features plenty of skilled cornerbacks.

Player	School
Jalen Ramsey	Florida State
Vernon Hargreaves III	Florida
Kendall Fuller	Virginia Tech
Tre'Davious White	LSU
Mackensie Alexander	Clemson

Based on CBSSports.com’s Big Board and ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., five cornerbacks may become first-round picks. These projections will change constantly, but the early forecasts show there’s high potential at the position.

Oakland may not have a chance at the best defensive back in the draft, pending a trade. Florida State Seminoles prospect Jalen Ramsey, who plays both cornerback and safety, could hear his name called within the first five picks.

Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

Florida Gators cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III may be a realistic target, but a good workout or pro day could increase his draft stock, making him a stretch if the Raiders finish at 7-9 or 8-8.

It’s important for Oakland to bring in a solid veteran cornerback through free agency, just in case teams drafting within the first 10 picks select Ramsey and Hargreaves at the top of the draft.

The Raiders need a solid starter to pair next to David Amerson. If Carrie remains a cornerback, the defense could still use a second- or third-round pick on a safety or slot cornerback.

Verdict: Carrie at Safety 

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Hopefully, Allen can put his injuries behind him, but his scarce availability should make the Raiders front office nervous without Woodson forcing turnovers.

Oakland needs a true playmaker in the secondary who’s able to create more opportunities for the offense and consistently defend receivers on an island.

Carrie doesn't pose a threat in forcing turnovers as of yet, although he's skilled in defending the deep ball, as he showed early in the season without Allen.

The Raiders cannot repeat the mistake of going completely young at cornerback as they did in 2015.

The pass defense needs someone who provides experience and productivity to set an example for a high draft pick at the position. A combination of Amerson, a first-round pick and a veteran would give the Raiders immediate resistance in the secondary and a developing prospect in case Amerson flops in a follow-up year.

The decision to keep Carrie at cornerback maintains the status quo with a void at safety, which pushes a top prospect into the slot. The Raiders would then rely on a high-priced veteran safety, Asante or an inexperienced draft pick to fill Woodson's position. 

If the top cornerbacks in the country declare for the draft, the Raiders will have an opportunity to select a potential 10-year starter in the first round. 

Oakland should keep Carrie at safety where he’s productive and integrate a top prospect alongside Amerson and a veteran cornerback to solidify the secondary.

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All statistics are provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com, Pro Football Focus and Team Rankings unless otherwise noted.