The Las Vegas Raiders have used early round picks on their defensive backfield in recent years, and they must excel if the team is going to improve.
Every since Mike Mayock began his tenure as general manager of the Las Vegas Raiders franchise, there has been an emphasis on getting better in the secondary. In his first NFL Draft back in 2019, Mayock used not only a first round pick on the defensive backfield, but also a second rounder, bringing in talent and youth.
Johnathan Abram was selected with the team’s third of three first round picks, and though it was a small sample size last season, he proved to be the kind of Alpha Dog the Raiders need at safety. In the second round, the team traded back for Clemson standout cornerback Trayvon Mullen, who was fresh off being named the 2019 CFP national title game’s Defensive Most Valuable Player.
Heading into the 2020 offseason, cornerback was still an issue, as there was really no-one behind Mullen on the depth chart that had valuable experience. With their second of two first round picks, the Raiders brought in Ohio State cornerback Damon Arnette, who is expected to start alongside Mullen as a rookie this season.
Arnette was a bit of a shock with the Raiders No. 19 overall pick, but his tape is something when you really dive in and watch. Jon Gruden asked him when he drafted him if he was better than teammate and No. 3 overall pick Jeffrey Okudah, and we will see whose career is better when it is all said and done.
Las Vegas has arguably the best quarterback in the NFL in Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes, and that means the Raiders have to face him twice a season. The fact that the team has invested so much in their secondary via the draft is a great sign, but it will only work if the Raiders can somehow improve against the pass in a big way in 2020.
Not only are these three key to the secondary taking a step forward, but the expectation is that both Keisean Nixon and Isaiah Johnson will continue in their development next season. Erik Harris, Damarious Randall, and Jeff Heath will all provide veteran leadership this season, but it is the trio of Abram, Arnette, and Mullen who are going to make or break this secondary.
Las Vegas has done a nice job adding talent on both sides of the ball this offseason, and the hope is that Derek Carr can return to his 2016 form and make this Raiders team a contender. The Raiders have struggled mightily against the pass for years now, and if these three can step up and lead this defense, all of that could change in a hurry.