The Raiders continued the process of signing their 2016 draft picks on Friday.
Linebacker Cory James is the latest player to agree to a four-year contract with the team. With James under contact, third-round defensive end Shilique Calhoun is the only member of the seven-player class still unsigned.
James played both inside and outside linebacker while he was at Colorado State, but his 24 sacks and 41 tackles for losses likely have him headed for a role on the outside with the Raiders. As with most players drafted in the later rounds, James will likely have to show an ability to contribute on special teams if he’s going to stick on the roster into the regular season.
If he does stick, he’ll be part of a talent infusion on defense that includes Calhoun, first-round safety Karl Joseph, second-round defensive lineman Jihad Ward and free agent signings Bruce Irvin, Sean Smith and Reggie Nelson.
