Las Vegas Raiders 2021 training camp: Top-3 starting jobs up for grabs
By Alex Perl
Las Vegas Raiders 2021 training camp: Top-3 starting jobs up for grabs
No. 2: Cornerback
The cornerback position in general is actually not up for grabs, while at least the number one cornerback spot is not. Third-year man Trayvon Mullen has solidified his position as the top cornerback on this roster, and he has looked solid in camp once again.
Now for the number two spot, and this is another one that is up for debate. The Raiders have come out and stated that second-year man Damon Arnette will be an opening day starter, but this is likely subject to change, as the oft-injured Arnette seems very unlikely to beat out recently added veteran Casey Hayward.
Arnette does have youth on his side, and also the recent first-round pedigree surely helps, but the former All-Pro veteran in Hayward did not come to Vegas with the idea of ‘mentor’ on his mind. Hayward is still more than capable of being a great player within the Raiders system, a system in which he has more familiarity than basically anyone on the roster, considering newly hired defensive coordinator Gus Bradley was his defensive coordinator the last four years with the Los Angeles Chargers.
The hope is always that the younger talent will rise and upheave the veteran from his role, but this seems highly unlikely, and despite the Raiders’ recent claims, this seems to be more smoke than fire. The Raiders will likely start out the first game of the season with a cornerback combo of Trayvon Mullen and Casey Hayward, and possibly rookie Nate Hobbs in the slot.