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Oakland Raiders: 3 rookie matchups to watch against the Arizona Cardinals

By Matt Holder

STARKVILLE, MS - OCTOBER 06: Johnathan Abram #38 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs celebrates during the second half against the Auburn Tigers at Davis Wade Stadium on October 6, 2018 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
STARKVILLE, MS - OCTOBER 06: Johnathan Abram #38 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs celebrates during the second half against the Auburn Tigers at Davis Wade Stadium on October 6, 2018 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – JANUARY 07: Trayvon Mullen #1 of the Clemson Tigers celebrates his sack against Tua Tagovailoa #13 of the Alabama Crimson Tide in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi’s Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – JANUARY 07: Trayvon Mullen #1 of the Clemson Tigers celebrates his sack against Tua Tagovailoa #13 of the Alabama Crimson Tide in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi’s Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Trayvon Mullen vs. Hakeem Butler

The rookie cornerback from Clemson was impressive during the preseason opener. Out of 21 coverage snaps, Mullen was only targeted twice, both passes going for incompletions and one by way of a pass break-up, per Pro Football Focus.

The second-round pick was the highest PFF graded (78.3) defensive starter for the Raiders.

Thursday’s match-up against the Cardinals should be a bigger challenge for Mullen. Arizona selected Iowa State wide receiver Hakeem Butler in the fourth round of this draft. In his last year as a Cyclone, Butler accumulated 60 receptions for 1,318 yards and nine touchdowns.

At six foot five, 227 pounds the wide receiver is a match-up nightmare. Mullen has the ability to cover Butler, but can the young corner overcome this size mismatch?

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