In a Las Vegas Raiders secondary filled with question marks and opportunity, former UCLA and USC cornerback John Humphrey has emerged as the undrafted free agent (UDFA) with the best shot at cracking the final 53-man roster.
Bleacher Report recently highlighted Humphrey as the most likely UDFA to survive final cuts, and for good reason.
USC UDFA John Humphrey Has Ideal Traits to Make Raiders’ 53-Man Roster
Standing at 6’2″ with 33-inch arms, Humphrey boasts the kind of length and frame that Raiders head coach Pete Carroll covets in his cornerbacks. Plus, Carroll probably has a soft spot for him since he went to USC.
That size allows Humphrey to jam receivers at the line of scrimmage, reroute them mid-play, and disrupt throwing lanes. His physical profile mirrors many of the successful corners Carroll has worked with in the past, particularly during his time in Seattle, where long-armed defensive backs like Richard Sherman and Brandon Browner became staples of the Legion of Boom.
While Humphrey didn’t light up the stat sheet during his final season at USC, posting 23 combined tackles and one interception over 12 games, his contributions went beyond the numbers. He showed an ability to play disciplined football while handling a range of coverage responsibilities both in UCLA’s and USC’s schemes. That versatility and steadiness are especially valuable in a league that constantly demands nickel, dime, and hybrid packages.
Perhaps more telling than his college production, however, is what’s happened in Raiders camp. Las Vegas decided to waive Mello Dotson, a UDFA from Kansas who entered the offseason with more buzz than Humphrey.
Raiders’ Thin Cornerback Room Presents an Opportunity for Humphrey
The real reason why Humphrey’s name has gained traction, though, is less about him and more about the state of the Raiders’ cornerback group, which is perceived by many as the main weak spot of the defense.
Nate Hobbs and Jack Jones both departed this offseason, who played significant roles last season. The presumed starters for next year include Eric Stokes, who signed a one-year prove-it deal worth $4 million after an injury-plagued stint in Green Bay, and Darien Porter, a third-round rookie with promising upside but no NFL snaps under his belt.
Behind them are names like Darnay Holmes, Decamerion Richardson, and Jakorian Bennett — players who haven’t exactly put fear in opposing offenses based on last year’s performances.
Despite finishing middle-of-the-pack (15th) in pass defense in 2024, Las Vegas enters next season with more questions than answers. The lack of continuity, proven talent, and quality depth makes the cornerback room arguably the most vulnerable position group on the team. That’s what makes this the perfect storm for a UDFA like Humphrey to not just make the roster but potentially contribute early.
For now, he’s done enough to stand out among the Raiders’ undrafted class. And in a season where opportunity is wide open at cornerback, John Humphrey could be one of the summer’s surprise success stories in Las Vegas.
