The Las Vegas Raiders drafted cornerback Damon Arnette with the 19th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Although some analysts have said the Ohio State product was a reach, it’s too early in his career to pass judgement.
Some writers had Arnette lower on their draft boards. Therefore, the Raiders could have had Arnette in the second or third round. However, we have to keep in mind that the draft is a crapshoot and nothing is certain when it comes to projecting a player’s future performance. Moreover, head coach Jon Gruden has already dispelled the notion the Buckeyes corner was a reach.
Was Damon Arnette Drafted too High?
Knowing that, the NFL Analyst Network thinks Arnette is one of the 2020 rookies most likely to be a bust. Regarding the corner, they said, “There are always some surprising selections on draft night, but none were bigger in 2020 than the Raiders taking Arnette at 19th overall. Analysts valued the Ohio St. product as a second-round to early third-round selection, but the Raiders felt differently.”
They added, “Las Vegas drafted Arnette with two other future first-round corners, Jeff Gladney and Noah Igbinoghene, still on the board. Several other cornerbacks who could see starting time this coming season, such as Trevon Diggs, Kristian Fulton, and Jaylon Johnson, fell to the second-round.”
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Honestly, Arnette may flunk in the NFL, but so could plenty other corners that were drafted in 2019. It’s just too early to tell, but Arnette will not falter because of a lack of talent. In fact, when it comes to football acumen, the corner checks all the boxes.
Ohio State CB Damon Arnette is one of the most pleasant surprises of 2020 #NFLDraft film work this year
— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) February 19, 2020
🔸Pre-snap recognition
🔸Comfort in press coverage
🔸Locates football first
🔸Plays through catch point with *aggression!*
Indiana (2019) is Round 1 caliber film! pic.twitter.com/3B0EQ237Hh
After a successful career at Ohio State, Arnette has all the tools to thrive in the NFL. He may end up doing it, or he may not. Either way, let’s wait at least a year before jumping to conclusions.
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