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Las Vegas Raiders: One question for each defensive position in 2021

By Connor Kurpat

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 06: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Clelin Ferrell #96 of the Las Vegas Raiders in action against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on December 06, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Raiders defeated the Jets 31-28. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 06: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Clelin Ferrell #96 of the Las Vegas Raiders in action against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on December 06, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Raiders defeated the Jets 31-28. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – OCTOBER 12: Casey Hayward #26 of the Los Angeles Chargers reacts to an interception by Nasir Adderley #24 against the New Orleans Saints during their NFL game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on October 12, 2020, in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /

Las Vegas Raiders: One question for each defensive position in 2021

Cornerback: With the addition of Casey Hayward, what does that mean for Damon Arnette?

Chances are that Arnette doesn’t get a ton of playing time this season. He had a really rough season in 2020 that was riddled with injuries and costly mistakes. He did show a lot of toughness and got a bit better as the season went on, but he just couldn’t find a way to stay consistent, and now that Hayward has been added to the roster, odds are he won’t start opposite of Mullen this year.

This doesn’t mean that Las Vegas is throwing in the towel on Arnette. They’ll still give him time to grow and get better. And chances are he’ll still get a few snaps when someone needs a break or if someone gets hurt.

Maybe, after sitting for a season and learning from Hayward, Arnette will find a way to play better and smarter.

Arnette’s future also depends on how he adjusts to the new system. Arnette, much like Mullen, finds the most success when playing in man coverage. Bradley, though, mostly uses zone coverage in his defense. Mullen should be able to adjust, as he’s played zone in Guenther’s scheme. But Arnette has much less experience in the zone, and it’s unknown if he would be able to have success in that type of scheme.

Answer: He’ll likely be shelved for now, but that doesn’t mean Las Vegas is done with him.

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