In an effort to revamp their defensive backfield, the Las Vegas Raiders selected a couple of cornerbacks in this year’s draft. They added Damon Arnette in the first round and Amik Robertson in the fourth. Teammate Johnathan Abram is excited about the duo joining the Silver and Black’s secondary.Â
The Raiders got a makeover in their secondary
One of the things the Las Vegas Raiders surely wish they could change is missing Johnathan Abram for the year. They selected him out of Mississippi State in 2019’s draft with the 27th overall pick to be their enforcer. Nevertheless, he suffered a rotator cuff injury in Week 1 that cut his rookie season short.
Now that Abram is healthy, he’s ready to claim his job on the Raiders starting lineup. However, the safety wasn’t going to be enough to turn their defense around. Last season, they allowed the 27th most passing touchdowns in the NFL with 33. Abram alone wasn’t going to help the secondary improve so they drafted Arnette and Robertson.
The Raiders secondary will surely look different than it did last season. Erik Harris, Lamarcus Joyner, and Trayvon Mullen return as starters but there will be new faces in the unit. Abram started the team’s season opener against the Broncos in 2019 but suffered the rotator cuff injury almost right out of the gate. Now that the organization parted ways with Prince Amukamara, Arnette might start opposite of Mullen. We say ‘maybe’ because he just suffered a thumb injury that may or may not sideline him.
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Abram likes Damon Arnette and Amik Robertson
Robertson will likely back Joyner up so his chance to start may not come soon. Nevertheless, Abram is ecstatic about his Raiders rookie teammates. The sophomore safety really emphasized they’re tremendous players in his latest press conference. Abram is certain both of them will have a great impact and is pleased the Silver and Black chose them in the draft.
“Both are tremendous, tremendous top players. Damon really does some things that you just cannot coach. Amik Robertson, just his willingness, he just wants to learn, he just wants to get better. That right there, those two are going to be great, I don’t have any doubt, and any worries when it comes to those two. I think we drafted two of the best corners in the draft.”
Although the Raiders young secondary will definitely go through their fair share of bumps and bruises, they have potential. There is plenty of energy in the defensive backs room and it isn’t surprising. Joyner and Nevin Lawson, who will be suspended in the first game of the season, are the only corners in Raiders uniform that aren’t first-year or second-year players.
The Raiders will finally be able to see what Abram is capable of. Nevertheless, he won’t have to carry any weight as the Silver and Black made sure there is plenty of talent in their secondary defense.
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Top Photo: Las Vegas Raiders Official YouTube channel