Las Vegas Raiders 2020 Season Review: The Awards

By Nick Bailey | Jan 29, 2021

DENVER, COLORADO - JANUARY 03: Darren Waller #83 of the Las Vegas Raiders celebrates after catching a pass for a two point conversion against the Denver Broncos in the final seconds of the fourth quarter at Empower Field At Mile High on January 03, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

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Trayvon Mullen is becoming a legitimate CB1. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Raiders 2020 Defensive Player of the Year: Trayvon Mullen

To be honest, there should not be a winner for this award when I began to write this piece, as the defense is the No. 1 reason that the Raiders missed the playoffs this season. Three wins turned into losses due to defensive miscommunications or mistakes, like Arden Key’s face mask penalty in the Dolphins game.

The best overall player on the defense throughout the season, however, was Trayvon Mullen. Mullen has proven that he has the skillset to be the No. 1 cornerback on this team, and he faces the best receiver on whoever matches up against the Raiders in a given week.

He had some problems this year for sure, but he is still just a second-year player after not starting for most of his rookie season, and should continue to develop under defensive coordinator Gus Bradley and defensive backs coach Ron Milus. The cornerback spot is a big question mark heading into next season, but Mullen is not.

Runner up: Maxx Crosby

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