Rookie cornerback Trayvon Mullen meet rookie teammate Damon Arnette way before they joined the Las Vegas Raiders. They grew up together and now they will take the football field wearing the same uniform.Â
The Raiders have invested in the cornerback position
The Raiders selected Mullen in the second round of 2019’s draft. His first start didn’t come until the Raiders traded 2017’s first-round pick, Gareon Conley, but once he got a hold of the cornerback starting job, he didn’t look back. Heading into his sophomore season, he will take over one cornerback spot barring injury.
This past draft, the Raiders chose Arnette with one of the first-round picks they got from the Khalil Mack trade, the 19th overall. Although the ex-Buckeyes corner split first-team reps with Prince Amukamara during training camp, the latter was recently released. Without nobody to take away snaps from him, Arnette should become the starter opposite Mullen.
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Mullen and Arnette have known each other for a while
If Arnette indeed starts opposite of Mullen, it will be the first time they will take play an NFL together. Nevertheless, they have known each other for a long time. In fact, they grew up together in Florida. In his latest press conference, Mullen talked about his friendship with Arnette. The Clemson standout points out Arnette has been a good person and a good football player ever since he met him. Also, Mullen emphasized Arnette is driven and believes he will be a great NFL player.
“I knew Damon forever, we grew up together, same area from the same city. He’s always been a good guy, always been a good player. From Lily to Optimus, he just got a lot of talent, he’s a very talented person, he’s very fast, quick. He got good instincts, just seeing him every day and the way he grinds. He’s just a different dude, his personality, the way he plays, his grind, the grit he has, he’s going to be a hell of a player.”
One factor that may put off Arnette’s NFL debut is a hand injury he recently sustained. He broke his thumb and is currently wearing a cast. Although he once played with a cast in Ohio State, the Raiders might want to practice caution on this one. We doubt the Silver and Black want their rookie corner to further aggravate the lesion, so he might have to wait a bit before he sees the football field.
Whether it was by design or not, Arnette and Mullen are together once again. It’s just that now, they will be wearing a Silver and Black uniform.
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Top Photo: Las Vegas Raiders Official YouTube channel