The Raiders completed their overall at cornerback Monday, releasing DeMarcus Van Dyke and signing free agent corner Joselio Hanson, who had been cut by Philadelphia.
Van Dyke was the last cornerback on the 53-man roster who played for the Raiders in 2011. During the offseason, they released starters Stanford Routt and Chris Johnson and let Lito Sheppard leave as a free agent. They cut cornerbacks Bryan McCann and Chimdi Chekwa on Saturday -- Chekwa was signed to the practice squad on Sunday.
The Raiders made it a clean cornerback sweep when they released Van Dyke, a third-round pick out of Miami last year.
“I think as things played out throughout OTAs, minicamp and in training camp, we felt like that was a position that we needed to try to upgrade, and we felt like with the players that we brought in here that it helps us as a team to be better,” Raiders coach Dennis Allen said.
Offseason free agent pickups Ron Bartell (St. Louis) and Shawntae Spencer (San Francisco) are the new starters. The Raiders also added free agent Pat Lee (Green Bay) to the cornerback mix during the offseason. They claimed cornerback Coye Francois off waivers from Seattle on Wednesday and cornerback Phillip Adams off waivers from the Seahawks on Saturday.
“It’s all about winning,” Raiders free safety Michael Huff said. “Nobody’s safe. If you’re not doing your job, they’re going to get somebody better.”
Hanson played the past six seasons with Philadelphia, primarily as a slot corner in the nickel.
“I have so much experience in the slot it’s like second nature to me now,” Hanson said. “I feel like you have to be real smart in the slot and you have to know formations. I use my quickness to my advantage in the slot. Have to be tough. Have to fill the run. Almost kind of like a linebacker, a slash linebacker DB.”
Hanson said the Seahawks and Dolphins showed interest, but he chose the Raiders because he wanted to play for a team in California -- he grew up in Southern California -- and he like’s this team’s potential.
“I’m happy, man. I’m back in California,” Hanson said. “I grew up in L.A. a Raider fan, so this is a dream come true. Have a lot of talent here on offense, a lot of talent on defense. They can plug me in, too. I just want to contribute whichever way I can and hopefully l learn this playbook real fast and I can play on Monday.”
Adams adds depth in the nickel, too, but he can also help as a punt returner. As a rookie for the 49ers in 2010, he returned a punt 83 yards for a touchdown. He returned four punts for 29 yards during the regular season that year and had been used by Seattle as a punt returner during this preseason.
“I’m just looking forward to the opportunity,” Adams said. “Happy I’m here. Just going to go out here and play hard. I’m just glad I’m here.”
The 49ers signed Adams in the seventh round in 2010. He’s also spent time with the Patriots and Seahawks, so the Raiders are his fourth team, entering his third season.
“I don’t think it’s anything you get used to,” Adams said of changing teams. “I just think that you just keep on working. You just find a way to keep on working, getting better as a player. Hopefully a situation will be a good one for you. I think this one is. You want a place you call home.”
Van Dyke thought he’d found a home in Oakland when the Raiders drafted the speedster last year. But he struggled as a rookie and played poorly throughout much of this preseason.
“The NFL is not forgiving,” Bartell said. “It’s always going to keep moving. It’s not going to wait on any of us. You don’t get used to seeing people come and go. No matter how long you play, it’s not a pleasant part of the job. People put a lot into this. It’s tough to see, especially younger guys who haven’t had a full opportunity yet, it’s tough to see them go. DVD’s a talented young guy. He’ll catch on somewhere.”
Follow Raiders reporter Eric Gilmore on Twitter @CBSSportsNFLOAK.
