The Oakland Raiders added another defensive back on Day 2, selecting Clemson cornerback Trayvon Mullen with the No. 40 overall selection.
The Oakland Raiders went back to work on Friday night, only 24 hours after selecting three players in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Originally holding the No. 35 overall pick in Round 2, the Raiders made two trades before finally settling in on the No. 40 overall selection.
With that pick, the Raiders reunited Clelin Ferrell, their No. 4 overall pick on Thursday night, with his teammate, selecting Trayvon Mullen from Clemson. Mullen, who felt he was the best cornerback in this draft class, is the first cousin of Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, and will be a solid addition to this Raiders secondary.
The Defensive MVP of the College Football Playoff national title game, Mullen is an incredibly talented cover corner, who is not afraid to come up and make big plays. While some bigger named cornerbacks were still on the board, it appears Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden are going after their guys, and Mullen is going to be an excellent addition for the Silver and Black.
Here is how Raiders and national Twitter reacted on Friday night.
Clelin's old teammate is joining him.
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) April 26, 2019
With the 40th pick, we have selected CB Trayvon Mullen from @ClemsonFB.#RaiderNation @MullenIsland1 pic.twitter.com/ejS5DxHtl2
Big Moe liked the pick
#Raiders take Trayvon Mullen. Another Clemson product (at 40).
— Moe Moton (@MoeMoton) April 26, 2019
Gareon Conley + Trayvon Mullen will look good in the secondary.
The MVP stats
New Raiders CB Trayvon Mullen was named defensive MVP of the national championship game after tallying an interception, forced fumble, sack and six tackles against Alabama.
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) April 27, 2019
Bleacher Report with some highlights
Silver & Black goes defense in round two
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) April 26, 2019
Clemson CB Trayvon Mullen is a Raider ☠️ pic.twitter.com/00J7CLmcdh
The newest Raider is buddies with our prized free agent pick up
Trayvon Mullen told me Wednesday @nflnetwork he speaks to @AB84 every day since getting to know him on a visit to the Raiders.
— Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) April 26, 2019
Mullen was overwhelmed with being chosen by the Silver and Black
Trayvon Mullen's reaction after getting picked in the second round by the Raiders. Former U.S. Army All-American at Coconut Creek who played three years at Clemson. https://t.co/umChrDEkHT
— David Furones (@DavidFurones_) April 27, 2019
Mullen is the second defensive back chosen by the Raiders in the 2019 NFL Draft, and the third guy who played in the national title game. Mayock was on the sidelines that night, and he apparently took some incredible notes.
That is the only selection the Raiders currently hold on Day 2, and it is going to be very hard for them to trade back into either the second, or third round on Friday night. They have much better draft position for Day 3, where gems can be found, and there are certainly more holes to fill.