Revisiting the nightmare that was the Las Vegas Raiders 2020 NFL Draft

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 15: Damon Arnette #20 of the Las Vegas Raiders warms up against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium on November 15, 2020, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Revisiting the nightmare that was the Las Vegas Raiders 2020 NFL Draft

Pick Analysis. Ohio State. Damon Arnette. 28. Scouting Report. 19. player. CB

Just like they did in 2019 with the selection of Clelin Ferrell, the Raiders once again delivered the shock of the draft. This time, it came in the form of Ohio State cornerback Damon Arnette. Not projected to be a first-round pick by most pundits, Las Vegas saw enough in him to select him at nineteenth overall.

As it turns out, sometimes the pundits are right. After playing in nine games as a rookie, Arnette had little to no impact with just two passes defended on his stat line. Dealing with injuries and Covid-19 he played in just nine games his rookie year. In 2021, it got even worse for the former Buckeye. Playing in just four games and starting none, he had just one pass defended in his second season.

Again, off-field issues affected a Raiders first-round pick. For Arnette, once a video was found of him flashing a gun and threatening to “kill” someone, it spelled the end of his career as Las Vegas released him mid-season.

Undoubtedly a bust, players such as Justin Jefferson, Jonathan Taylor, and Antoine Winfield Jr. were selected after him. All of them rank as some of the best at their respective positions, and they all represent upgrades over Arnette.

GRADE: F

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