Raiders' RB Taiwan Jones open to making switch to cornerback

Shelved as the fourth-string running back in his second NFL season, Oakland Raiders back Taiwan Jones thinks he could find more time on the field as a cornerback, according to CSN Bay Area's Paul Gutierrez.

The 6'0, 197-pound back was recruited to Eastern Washington as a cornerback, but found himself playing running back after his freshman season. Jones told Gutierrez that he was surprised that NFL teams didn't look at him as a cornerback when he was going through the draft process. At the combine, he was limited to only working out as a running back because of a foot injury before being taken in the fourth round of the 2011 Draft.

This season, Jones has mostly been relegated to playing as a gunner on special teams, and he said that he'd be happy moving to defense if head coach Dennis Allen and his staff need him there.

After coming into preseason camp as the backup to starter Darren McFadden, Jones was passed on the depth chart by Mike Goodson and rookie Jeremy Stewart. The second-year pro has just six carries for 21 yards and a fumble on the season after showing potential as a rookie.