The Raiders are expected to make an upgrade to their defensive secondary by signing free agent cornerback Rashaan Melvin, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the move is a one-year deal worth $6.5 MM (Twitter link). 
Melvin, a 2013 undrafted free agent out of Northern Illinois, spent the past two seasons with the Colts, where he’s had a pair of solid campaigns. Following a breakout season in 2016, Melvin was just as productive this year, finishing with 36 tackles, three interceptions, and 13 passes defended. Pro Football Focus was particularly fond of his performance, ranking him 17th among 120 eligible cornerbacks. PFR ranked Melvin as the No. 12 free agent cornerback.
The move makes Melvin a starter in Oakland on one sideline with 2017 rookie Gareon Conley expected to man the other, barring further moves. The two sides met on Friday and a deal did not take long to get done.
The move is the latest in a flurry of transactions for the Raiders under new head coach Jon Gruden. On Thursday, the team signed former All-Pro receiver Jordy Nelson and released veteran Michael Crabtree. Less than an hour before Melvin signed with the team, former Bills cornerback Shareece Wright was also signed to the secondary.
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Wtf. Surely we coulda matched that.
Cardinals could’ve matched that too
I am surprised he didn’t get at least a second year. Go Raiders.
Next year if he plays good The Raiders will franchise tag him
That’s not the way football salary cap economics work at all. If he was viewed as a borderline franchise tag talent, he’d be getting upwards of $20mil guaranteed on a 4-5 year deal worth ~$45-55mil. He may want to play in Oakland, but I’m sure he didn’t leave tens of millions on the table.