5 breakout stars to watch for Las Vegas Raiders in 2020

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 08: DeAndre Washington #33 of the Oakland Raiders celebrates with Kolton Miller #74 after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter against the Tennessee Titans at RingCentral Coliseum on December 08, 2019 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

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HOUSTON, TX – OCTOBER 27: Trayvon Mullen #27 of the Oakland Raiders rests on the bench in the second half against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on October 27, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

2. CB Trayvon Mullen

The defense of the Raiders has been a disappointment for far too many years. Even when the team put together a 12-4 campaign and since-traded Khalil Mack was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2016, the club struggled to stop the opposition. And one of the many issues has been the play at cornerback as opposing quarterbacks have had their way with the Silver and Black for far too long.

In recent years, the Raiders’ secondary has been exploited in a big way. Dating back to 2010, the club has surrendered at least two-dozen touchdown passes in 10 consecutive seasons. Over the past two years, the team has allowed a whopping 69 scores through the air.

Of course, the Raiders’ feeble pass rush in 2018 which produced a dismal 13 sacks certainly doesn’t help the cause. And while the team was much-improved in that area this past year (32), when it was all said and done only the Dolphins (39), Cardinals (38) and Redskins (35) gave up more TD passes than Gruden’s team (33) in 2019.

Rookie cornerback Trayvon Mullen took his lumps this past year in terms of coverage via Pro Football Focus (subscription required). But he was also impressive against the run. And with a season under his shoulder pads, the 2019 second-round pick may be poised for a big leap in ’20.

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