Solid Starter
Damon Arnette, S, Ohio State – Round 1 
This was a tough choice for me because I really like the selections of Lynn Bowden and Bryan Edwards in the third round. In a year or two, I could see those two and Henry Ruggs forming a good starting trio, with Hunter Renfrow rotating in as well. However, it could be tough for Derek Carr to get all of them the ball along with feeding running back Josh Jacobs. Therefore, I reversed course and went with Arnette. Team sources have told me that athletically, there was not a big difference between Arnette and teammate Jeff Okudah, who went with the third-overall pick to Detroit. If Arnette can avoid off-the-field problems in Las Vegas, I think he will become a solid starter for the Raiders.
Arnette first saw the field as a sophomore in 2017 and totaled 44 tackles with eight passes broken up and two interceptions. He had a rough start to the season and was better late in the year. As a junior, Arnette had some issues with discipline and gave up some big plays while also flashing his physical talent. He recorded 40 tackles with six passes broken up and an interception on the year. If he had entered the 2019 NFL Draft, sources say Arnette could have been a mid-rounder with second-day potential based off his size and speed. However, Arnette wisely returned to for his senior year and was vastly improved over his junior performance. In 2019, Arnette totaled 35 tackles with eight passes broken up and an interception.
Arnette (6-0, 195) is instinctive, tough and versatile. Teams like that he can play inside at nickelback or line up outside with the ability to play man or zone. Arnette is very physical and has a feisty style of play that comes out with him being super competitive. Arnette challenges every throw and never makes it easy on receivers to get a reception. On top of having cover skills to stay with receivers, he is a very good tackler who doesn’t hesitate to hit.
Arnette has the physical skills, instincts and talent to have been a consensus top-20 pick. But most teams had him on Day 2 on their boards because he had significant off-the-field issues. As one team source said, “the Raiders could have gotten Arnette at pick 32.” General manager Mike Mayock said he could have traded down but said no to the offers to take Arnette at No. 19. While the pick was a reach in the scope of the 2020 NFL Draft, I think Arnette will become a solid starter if he can avoid self-destructing off the field.
2019: Johnathan Abram, S
2018: Kolton Miller, OT
2017: Obi Melifonwu, S
2016: Shilique Calhoun, DE
2015: Clive Walford, TE
2014: Gabe Jackson, G
2013: Sio Moore, LB
Most Likely To Bust
Tanner Muse, LB, Clemson – Round 3 
Aside from Derek Carr, my track record here is pretty good, as all of the rest of this group were busts for Oakland, although it is obviously too early to make any judgements on Trayvon Mullen and even Arden Key. This was an easy selection as many teams across the league had Muse buried on Day 3 of their boards, but Raiders general manager Mike “Pardon my Reach” Mayock took Muse in the third round.
At Clemson, Muse was a linebacker and safety who had some modest production before recording some big plays with four interceptions as a senior. However, Muse has some limitations in pass coverage for the NFL, and that could be seen in an ugly performance in the ACC Championship Game versus Virginia. At 6-foot-2, 227 pounds, Muse does not have the size to be a run-stuffing linebacker, and he is more of a sub-package pass-coverage linebacker, but I believe he is going to struggle in that role given his coverage issues at Clemson. If Virginia could pick on him, I think Muse could be painfully exploited by the likes of Kansas City.
As a third-round pick, Muse is projected to be a backup to starter, but I think that is a risky projection given his limitations. Of Las Vegas’ early-round picks, Muse seems like the one who is most likely to bust.
2019: Trayvon Mullen, CB
2018: Arden Key, DE
2017: Eddie Vanderdoes, DT
2016: Jihad Ward, DE
2015: Mario Edwards, DT
2014: Derek Carr, QB
2013: D.J. Hayden, CB
Potential Boom Pick
Henry Ruggs, WR, Alabama – Round 1 
Often times, football teams are considered to be two different teams separated by offense and defense. In the case of the Las Vegas Raiders, they are two different drafting teams. When they draft an offensive player, the pick stems from head coach Jon Gruden, who has a specific plan in place for that player and where he fits a role in the scheme. When a defensive player is drafted, the player was the choice of general manager Mike Mayock, and often times Mayock has overdrafted defensive players.
Mayock made a massive reach in 2019 with Clelin Ferrell at the fourth-overall pick, and this year, he followed it up with Arnette at pick No. 19. Fortunately for Mayock, I think Ruggs could be a boom pick similar to Alabama running back Josh Jacobs from the 2019 NFL Draft. Ruggs is a great fit for Gruden’s scheme, and I believe that the Raiders will take advantage of his big-time speed to create some big plays
The first attribute that jumps out about Ruggs is his extreme, world-class speed. Immediately as a rookie, he is going to be one of the fastest wideouts in the NFL with his ability to stretch defenses vertically and take the top off a defense. Ruggs is lightning fast running deep along the sideline, deep post routes, or deep crosses. His sheer speed makes it very difficult for defensive backs to run with him. While his route-running and hands aren’t elite, they are fine for a speed receiver and he is a willing blocker.
In the NFL, Ruggs may not be a high-volume wide receiver who produces massive reception totals like a DeAndre Hopkins or Michael Thomas. Ruggs is not a possessional receiver, so he could produce a smaller reception total but provides a long yards-per-reception average and plenty of big plays. Aside from those big plays, Ruggs will make an impact on snaps on which he doesn’t get the ball as he will cause teams to have to account for his deep speed, and that should open up the underneath for other wide receives, tight ends, and the rushing attack. Ruggs also brings added value as a returner on special teams, but the Raiders will probably use him sparingly in that role to protect him from injury. However in critical situations, he could be a special teams asset.
One of the potential flaws of picking Ruggs is Raiders quarterback Derek Carr not being one to throw vertically down the field. I think, however, Gruden will be creative with how the Raiders get Ruggs the ball. In Tampa Bay, Gruden got some excellent seasons out of speedster Joey Galloway despite not having big-armed starters who could throw it deep. Galloway produced good years with the likes of Brian Griese, Chris Simms, Bruce Gradkowski and Jeff Garcia as his quarterbacks. Thus, I think Gruden will get a lot of mileage out of Ruggs despite Carr’s preference to throw it in the short to intermediate part of the field. If Ruggs can stay healthy, he definitely has boom potential for Las Vegas.
2019: Josh Jacobs, RB
2018: Nick Nelson, CB
2017: Gareon Conley, CB
2016: Karl Joseph, S
2015: Amari Cooper, WR
2014: Khalil Mack, LB
2013: Menelik Watson, OT
Future Depth Player
Lynn Bowden, WR, Kentucky – Round 3 
The Raiders added three receivers in the 2020 NFL Draft, and Bowden is a pure football player who could help out Las Vegas in a variety of ways. Following the example of Randall Cobb, Bowden was a great athlete at wide receiver who was pressed into playing quarterback for the Kentucky Wildcats. As a receiver in 2019, Bowden had 30 catches for 348 yards and a touchdown, but as a running quarterback, Bowden averaged 7.9 yards per carry for 1,468 yards with 13 touchdowns on the ground in 2019.
Bowden is a dynamic athlete with speed, athleticism and a sturdy frame. I think for the Raiders, Bowden might end up being a gadget backup receiver and running back who helps move the ball through the air and on the ground. It will be interesting to see how Bowden is utilized by Jon Gruden.
2019: Hunter Renfrow, WR
2018: Maurice Hurst, DT
2017: David Sharpe, OT
2016: Connor Cook, QB
2015: Jon Feliciano, G
2014: Keith McGill, CB
2013: Tyler Wilson, QB
Walt’s 2020 NFL Draft Grades:
12. Henry Ruggs, WR, Alabama – D Grade
The Raiders had both Jerry Jeudy and CeeDee Lamb fall into their laps, and they went with Henry Ruggs? Ugh, I don’t know about this. Jeudy and Lamb are such great, polished route runners, while Ruggs is just all speed. He has great upside, but he’s a raw receiver. He has the greatest chance of busting out of the top three wideouts, and that’s not good news for the No. 12 overall pick.
19. Damon Arnette, CB, Ohio State – O’BRIEN Grade
Ladies and gentlemen, our first O’Brien grade of the night! Damon Arnette is someone I had in the first round of my mock draft in some updates – at No. 32 to Kansas City. Otherwise, he’s been marooned in the second frame. Arnette is certainly talented, but he has off-the-field issues. Given that Mike Mayock values high-character guys, this is a very strange pick that makes no sense outside of need. This is an “F” grade all the way.
80. Lynn Bowden Jr., WR, Kentucky – B+ Grade
It can’t be a surprise that the Raiders addressed receiver once again. This was such a weak area for them last year that they had to double up on the position. Lynn Bowden is an explosive player who can play multiple positions, so he can only improve the Raiders’ offense.
81. Bryan Edwards, WR, South Carolina – D Grade
OK, this is just overkill. Two receivers made sense, but three, with Tyrell Williams and Hunter Renfrow already on the roster? I get that the Raiders must have really liked Bryan Edwards to do this – and I have no qualms with the player – but the Raiders have other needs they had to address.
100. Tanner Muse, S, Clemson – D Grade
Tanner Muse blew up the combine, so he would’ve been someone Al Davis would have considered in the second round. The Raiders showed more restraint, though this still seems like a reach. I had Muse in the sixth round of my 2020 NFL Mock Draft, so the Raiders could’ve waited for him.
109. John Simpson, G, Clemson – B+ Grade
The Raiders traded up about a dozen picks for John Simpson. There’s a decent chance he wouldn’t have been available at their selection, so I think this is a fine move. The Raiders are shopping Gabe Jackson, and Simpson is talented enough to start in place of Jackson on Day 1.
139. Amik Robertson, CB, Louisiana Tech – B Grade
If it wasn’t for injury concerns, Amik Robertson may have been chosen earlier than this. I had him slotted in the fifth round, but he makes sense here as a player with upside who can fill a position of need.
2020 NFL Draft Team Grade: C- . Follow Walter @walterfootball for updates.
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