Las Vegas Raiders quick reaction NFL Draft grade: Damon Arnette
By BD Williams
Why the pick makes sense
Arnette comes from a rare defensive scheme in college football, one of the few teams who run NFL looks and techniques in coverage. During his time in college, he has shown an acumen for the kick-step press man technique that Paul Guenther covets in his corners.
Arnette plays with a chip on his shoulder and is very chippy, all of these are necessary to succeed in the NFL as a man-to-man cornerback.
Trayvon Mullen has settled into the left cornerback position, and Arnette is a right cornerback already. So when it comes to filling a need, Arnette gives them a plug and play Day 1 starter. The Raiders also needed flexibility in the back-end and Arnette could eventually be the nickel cornerback if/when the Raiders decide to move on from LaMarcus Joyner.
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Some people will say this pick is a reach, but get used to this sort of thing with Mayock. Until he masters trading down, Mayock is going to pick guys who he knows without a shadow of a doubt: love football, have great toughness, and compete until the echo of the whistle. Don’t worry about Gareon Conley comparisons, Arnette is a much more fierce player who shows a willingness to tackle and put his hands on his opponent.