Raiders release former first-round pick CB Damon Arnette

The Raiders are releasing CB Damon Arnette, the 19th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, after appearing in just 13 games for the team. Arnette has been under scrutiny in recent days for social media posts including a video posted of himself holding a gun and threatening an unknown individual.

The Raiders’ decision to draft Arnette in the first round has been highly criticized for over a year. Many analysts believed that Arnette was a second or third round graded prospect, and his on-field performance failed to justify the first-round draft capital that the Raiders invested in the Ohio State product.

According to Paul Gutierrez of ESPN, Raiders general manager Mike Mayock said the following about the release of Arnette:

“Very painful decision. We spent significant time, effort and resources trying to help him in all aspects of his life… We cannot stand for the video of Damon with a gun, threatening to take a life.”

Arnette was injured in the Raiders’ Week 4 loss to the Chargers and was placed on injured reserve. Arnette may have been nearing a return from injury, but the Raiders decided it was time to release Arnette before giving him that opportunity.

Arnette was the Raiders second first-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, a selection acquired in the trade that sent Khalil Mack to the Chicago Bears. The Raiders first pick of the round was used to select former Raiders WR Henry Ruggs III, who was released just last week following DUI, reckless driving, and weapons charges.

The Raiders have the following CBs remaining on the roster following the release of Arnette: Casey Hayward Jr., Trayvon Mullen Jr. (IR), Nate Hobbs, Brandon Facyson, Amik Robertson, Keisean Nixon, and Desmond Trufant.