Las Vegas Raiders: Handing out the 2020 Third Quarter Awards
Las Vegas Raiders: Handing out the 2020 Third Quarter Awards
Defensive Player of the Quarter- Trayvon Mullen
Trayvon Mullen is becoming a star right before our eyes. The second-year cornerback had an up and down rookie season but has been excellent this year as he grows into his role as the best defensive back on the Raiders.
Mullen was particularly good in the last four games, as he allowed, per Pro Football Reference, just a 46% completion rate when targeted and an average of just 44 yards receiving. Even those numbers were skewed by the garbage time against the Denver Broncos, and in the competitive games against the Chiefs and Jets, Mullen allowed just 63 yards total though he was responsible for a touchdown in Week 13.
The young cornerback has also worked on his playmaking skills as he came up with two huge interceptions against KC and NY and very nearly had a third that could have been a pick-six against Atlanta. There are stretches when Mullen looks downright dominant, and this is even more impressive considering the constant turnover around him in the defensive backfield.
Mullen is the only Raiders defensive back to start all 12 games so far this season and he is the team leader in the defensive snap count, having played in 87% of the unit’s snaps this year. The Raiders may have found a shutdown corner in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft and this award may be the first of many accolades for Mullen in the NFL.
Honorable Mention – Clelin Ferrell