Updated: CB Rashaan Melvin goes from discussions to visiting Raiders

To this point in free agency, the Raiders have missed on every marquee free agent cornerback as the likes of Trumaine Johnson, Malcolm Butler, TJ Carrie and Richard Sherman have all signed elsewhere.

As such, Oakland is showing interest in free agent cornerback Rashaan Melvin, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Melvin has been in the league since 2013 but has just 21 career starts in 37 games played and didn’t record his first career interception until 2017.

The 5th year corner’s play has improved at a steady rate over the last few years. Over the past two seasons in Indianapolis, he has had 96 combined tackles, 20 pass defenses and three interceptions. He has also seen his Pro Football Focus player grade improve from 43.3 in 2015 to 74.2 in 2016 and 85.7 in 2017 (17th ranked cornerback). As it happens, PFF named the Raiders as Melvin’s best fit among this year’s free agents.

Even during Melvin’s best seasons, he has struggled to stay on the field missing seven games over the past two years.

Melvin is a promising player who could become a great cornerback, but he doesn’t have a consistent and long history of success in the NFL.

UPDATE: The Raiders have taken things to the next level with Rashaan Melvin. From interest to discussions.

UPDATE: Melvin has now set up a visit for Friday, according to Pro Football Talk. And since the discussions have already taken place, that raises the odds he will sign a deal.