The Raiders had pressing needs at wide receiver and cornerback entering the 2020 NFL Draft.
They attacked them with vigor and volume over the three-day process.
That was apparent at receiver, with Henry Ruggs, Bryan Edwards and versatile skill player Lynn Bowden Jr. added in the draft’s first two days. The Raiders also doubled down at cornerback with Ohio State’s Damon Arnette added at No. 19 on Thursday and Louisiana Tech’s Amik Robertson with the 139th pick Saturday.
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Both cornerbacks are aggressive, physical and extremely competitive, fitting in with how the Raiders prefer to play in the secondary.
No way Robertson would have been available in the fourth round without a groin injury that required offseason surgery, but the Raiders must be comfortable with his prognosis and ability to find the dominant form he showed at Louisiana Tech. He often was overlooked because of his size, but underestimating the 5-foot-8, 187-pound cover man would be a mistake.
Robertson said as much on Twitter, after the Raiders drafted him.
Robertson is a tough player who can handle bigger receivers despite the size disparity, as you can see here:
He's also aggressive against the run and possesses quality ball skills, with five interceptions and 16 passes defensed in 2019. His size suggests he’ll be a slot cornerback in the NFL, though that hasn’t been formally revealed by Raiders brass.
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That would be a good fit and a future need for the Raiders, with no guaranteed money in Lamarcus Joyner’s contract after this season. He underwhelmed in 2019 relative to the big four-year deal that he signed last offseason, and the Raiders could look to replace him with a younger player on a rookie contract. Time will tell on that front.
The Raiders made a point to address the cornerback spot this offseason, and were steadfast in that effort after losing the Byron Jones sweepstakes in free agency. They couldn’t land Chris Harris Jr., and their Eli Apple deal fell through over a physical.
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The Raiders went out and drafted Arnette high, locking down a solid scheme fit. Adding Robertson at this stage was another solid get, and an addition to a position group that already includes starter Trayvon Mullen and reserves Isaiah Johnson, Nevin Lawson and Keisean Nixon.
The Raiders narrowed their needs considerably with quality free-agent signings, allowing them to relentlessly attack remaining roster weaknesses in the draft. It was a smart and prudent strategy that could help the Raiders get better fast and be better suited to compete within the AFC West.