Las Vegas Raiders

Cory James Is Moving On Up

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

Oakland Raiders rookie sixth-round draft pick Cory James has risen to the top of the depth chart, and he isn’t giving up that spot anytime soon.

The Oakland Raiders pulled off another win in dramatic fashion, defeating the Baltimore Ravens 28-27 on the road. A major factor in the win was rookie linebacker Cory James, who quickly worked his way up the depth chart. And in the last two weeks, he’s made his way up the team’s stat sheet.

Before Week 3, linebacker Ben Heeney was relieved of his starting position after an abysmal start to the season. As the Raiders broke a 76-year record for yards given up in the first two weeks of a season, changes were needed. One of those changes was James stepping in for Heeney, which so far has worked out for the best.

James led the Raiders in tackles against Baltimore — 12 solo, along with 3 assists and a forced fumble. This made James the team’s leader in solo tackles for a second week in a row, after topping the stat sheet with six against the Tennessee Titans.

In the first two weeks of the season, James was on the field for a combined 49 snaps. Against the Titans, he was on the field for 65 defensive snaps. In just his second game, the young linebacker remained on the field for 100 percent of defensive snaps.

Sunday’s impressive performance by James ties the 2014 record of most solo tackles (12) by a rookie linebacker, set by retired 49er Chris Borland.

The sixth-round pick out of Colorado State is just one of several gems drafted by general manager Reggie McKenzie. James joins rookies Karl Joseph, DeAndre Washington and Jihad Ward as the newest impact players in Silver & Black.

Despite only playing two games, James is currently tied for second amongst rookies in solo tackles with 20, and he’s third in combined tackles with 24.

Yet stats don’t always tell the story, as the box score omits James ballhawking the run-game and his respectable coverage ability.

It’s very early in the season, but James is showing flashes of potential that give the team and the fans high hopes for the future.