Eric Stokes signed with the Raiders on a 1 year, 3.5 million prove it deal this season after some ups and downs to start his career. As a rookie in 2021, Stokes logged 49 receptions allowed for 567 yards and a 78.8 QBR largely in part to his 14 PBU and an interception. Injuries then plagued Stokes for 2022-2024 where he played just a little over 1000 snaps through 12 games in 2022 and 2023 combine before 17 in 2024 but he started just 7. Through those games, Stokes also failed to record one pass
breakup. Stokes had elite ball skills coming out of Georgia and it wasn’t a shock to see him produce on the ball. The Raiders signed Stokes with the ability to ideally have him stay healthy and bounce back into his rookie season form, which so far the 26 year old has. Through 7 weeks, Stokes has missed just 1 game and has played nearly 90% of the teams defensive snaps. Stokes has allowed just 10 receptions, 123 yards, and 0 TD allowed. Additionally, Stokes is allowing a career best 72.9 QBR with 3 PBU and an 16% forced incompletion rate. Stokes is also top 5 in yards/separation per target and top 25 in tight window target rate.
Questions could come with Stokes productivity because of the teams issues around the rest of their defensive backs where Kyu Blu Kelly and Darnay Holmes have struggled heavily. Despite that, Stokes is showing the signs of being back to where he was as a rookie CB and he’s been better in terms of separation allowed and his tight window throw rate which are positive signs. In addition, Stokes has allowed a negative EPA of -2.78 this season, which is among the top 25 for cornerbacks and the only Raiders defensive back who’s not allowed a positive EPA. Stokes will turn 27 in March and the 6’0/195 CB has fit the Raiders defense well, if Stokes can maintain his play down the stretch he’s likely looking at an extremely good payday.
In the above chart, Stokes is listed in the top right which indicates low yards allowed/snap and low QBR when targeted.
2026 Market Preview:
The 2026 CB market at free agency is rather strong with names such as Jaylen Watson, Josh Jobe, Rasul Douglas, Tariq Woolen, Marcus Jones, Greg Newsome II, Amik Robertson, Jamel Dean, Cam Taylor-Britt, Alontae Taylor, Jalyn Armour-Davis, Nahson Wright, and Roger McCreary likely being the top names projected to hit the market. Of those, Stokes is projected to receive the third highest average value on a new contract at 11.5 million a year (behind Dean and Woolen). Of majority of the names mentioned, most have struggled with consistency in their careers along with injuries at times which Stokes has also aligned with in those aspects. As of right now, Stokes current projected contract sits at 3 years, 34.5 million with 18 million guaranteed. Stokes play through the back end of the season will be crucial for the Raiders to determine if they want to invest that much in a cornerback that has struggled at times to stay healthy and has also had 3 years of average play. The Raiders have north of 100 million in cap space and with their struggling defensive backs, retaining one that has been a key part of the unit should be the first goal. The Raiders have a track record of losing players that they have allowed to revive their careers and see them go elsewhere, at this point the team needs to make sure those players remain in Vegas. The Raiders need to see if Stokes stays healthy and maintains his play (ideally with Darien Porter also opposite of him) to determine if that number is a smart investment over one of the other names.
