Improved secondary is primary to Raiders

Abram, Mullen returning, adding rookie Arnette key

After a series of free-agent pickups and draft picks, the Raiders head into 2020 with a secondary they hope is better equipped to deal with opposing passing attacks.

Coverage at the linebacker and secondary level has been a major weakness. According to Pro Football Focus, the Raiders have a two-year secondary coverage grade of 48.7 over the 2018 and 2019 seasons, which ranks second to last in the NFL.

There is reason for optimism heading into 2020, albeit layered with a sense of the unknown. Improvement depends on the development of promising second-year cornerback Trayvon Mullen and second-year safety Johnathan Abram and the play of two other starting positions likely to be manned by newcomers.

One of those newcomers is a rookie cornerback who many pundits argued the Raiders reached for with the 19th pick in the draft. While Raiders coach Jon Gruden and general manager Mike Mayock believe they reeled in an old-school bump-and-run cornerback in Ohio State’s Damon Arnette, the pressure is on him not only to live up to his surprising draft placement but provide production and dependability at a critical position as a Week One starter.

If the Raiders did hit the mark on the 6-foot-1-inch, 195-pound Arnette, they could have the makings of a young, aggressive cornerback tandem with Arnette and the 6-2 Mullen, who finished his rookie year with a late-season flurry. If they can excel as press-cover defenders, it will change the complexion of the Raiders’ defense.

The 4-3 scheme preferred by Raiders defensive coordinator Paul Guenther is much better and more flexible with cornerbacks who are able to jam wide receivers at the line and defend in one-on-one situations. That approach creates a comfort level to dial up blitz packages using linebackers and safeties that might otherwise be in pass coverage.

The key is having two corners capable of defending their assignment by themselves.

Mullen offers much more certainty in that regard. Arnette will have to prove it.

The Raiders also added Louisiana Tech cornerback Amik Robertson in the fourth round, and while his 5-8 height red-flagged him as an earlier round pick, his tenacity, tackling ability and playmaking were compelling enough to plant Robertson firmly on the radar of the NFL.

Lamarcus Joyner, who is listed as a safety, played almost exclusively at slot cornerback for the Raiders last year. He’ll be a good role model for Robertson. Like the 5-8 Joyner, Robertson plays with a chip on his shoulder, and that aggressiveness can make up for his lack of size.

The Raiders also remain