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Oakland Raiders at Houston Texans: 3 players to watch

By Jordan Alexis

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 06: (EDITORS NOTE - This image has been converted to black and white) Oakland Raiders helmet is seen on the field after the game between Chicago Bears and Oakland Raiders at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 06, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 06: (EDITORS NOTE - This image has been converted to black and white) Oakland Raiders helmet is seen on the field after the game between Chicago Bears and Oakland Raiders at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 06, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Naomi Baker/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

The Raiders moved on from former first-round pick Gareon Conley and have now opened the door for rookie Trayon Mullen to have a much more significant role.

The 40th overall pick saw a good amount of snaps early in the season, but struggled and has only seen around seven percent of the snaps the last three games.

Now the Raiders appear ready to throw him into the fire against Houston.

The Texans will no doubt see what Mullen is made of early and often, but Jon Gruden expressed his confidence in the cornerback earlier this week.

“He has been in every game, and he’s played better,” Raiders coach Jon Gruden said. “He’s prepared himself, I think better. He’s healthy now. Remember, he was hurt in training camp for a while, but I’m not going to make any predictions. We’ll get what we deserve at every position, including corner. I know he’s going to be tested, and I’m anxious to see him compete.”

It will be interesting to see how the Raiders use Mullen in their scheme and if they play to his strengths. Much like Conley, Mullen is best as a press-man corner, which is not what the Raiders regularly do. He provides far more versatile than Conley, but with a guy who is so young, it would be ideal to accentuate his strengths.

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