Mullen ready to take on a larger role
ALAMEDA >> Trayvon Mullen has played sparingly over the past three games, getting only 14 defensive snaps against Green Bay, Chicago and Indianapolis after playing 64 snaps in the Raiders’ first three games of the season.
That should change in a dramatic way Sunday when the Raiders visit the Houston Texans with Mullen expected to start in place of the departed Gareon Conley.
A second-round draft pick from Clemson, Mullen believes he’s up to the task against a Houston offense that features two other former Clemson stars — quarterback Deshaun Watson and wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. Mullen played with Watson in college, although Hopkins — one of the NFL’s most prolific and surehanded receivers — was before his time.
“I played with Deshaun,” Mul
len said. “That’ll be big, getting a chance to make some plays against him. That’s my mindset coming in to make some plays and show what I can do.”
Conley was traded to Houston Monday, but not before talking to Mullen about the opportunity to step in as his replacement.
“It was a big deal, because he was a guy that helped me grow coming in,” Mullen said. “A guy I could ask questions to when not going to the coach. A guy that led me in the right direction when I needed some help. It’s kind of bittersweet, but it’s my time to step up now, just like he told me.”
Daryl Worley, the other starter at cornerback, said of Mullen, “He’s been getting better and better. He has some experience playing so it’s not like his first time stepping on the field. I mean, he’s a guy that’s going to have to step into a big-time role.”
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, having gone against Mullen at practice, described him as evenkeeled but at the same time “ultra-competitive. We’ve seen him stick his head in there, he has no problem with the contact, which is a lost art these days at that position. And he has no problem doing it.”
“The Trayvon I see is he kind of feels his way, and whenever he’s ready, and it’s his time he goes and attacks it,” said former Clemson teammate wide receiver Hunter Renfrow. “That’s what I think he’s going to do.”
Mullen played in 32.7 percent of the Raiders’ defensive snaps over the first three games and was beaten for a 53-yard gain by Denver’s Emmanuel Sanders in the Monday night opener. In the last three games, Mullen’s time on the field was reduced dramatically, according to official game books.
Coach Jon Gruden and Paul Guenther also have veteran
Nevin Lawson available, but Gruden fully expects Mullen to get tested.
“I think he’s going to be fine,” Gruden said. “He’s going to be challenged, I know that. but I think his makeup is perfect. I think he’s a very confident, well prepared kid. We’ll see what happens.”
FERRELL’S PROGRESS >> Defensive end Clelin Ferrell, yet another Clemson product and the No. 4 pick in the draft, has drawn criticism for his play and the solitary sack on his stat sheet in the season opener against Denver. Profootballfocus.com rates Ferrell as one of the lowest edge players at his position.
Gruden, who said Ferrell has played inside more than expected, doesn’t share that sentiment.
“We hope at some point to get him some more snaps at defensive end,” Gruden said. “He’s doing pretty good. He’s a good run defender and hopefully we can get him some more at-bats rushing the passer. But he’s done a lot more than just having one sack.”
“I’ve only played five games. Some things I’ve done well, some things I’ve got to pick up on,” said Ferrell in defending his play. “Some things that I still got to really hone in on. I’m still a very young player. I’m so used to going against college offenses, the NFL offenses are completely different.”
WILLIAMS TO RETURN? >> Even with missing the past two games, Williams leads all Raiders wide receivers with 17 receptions for 216 yards and four touchdowns. Renfrow is second with 14 catches and 115 yards with a long gain of 12, followed by Trevor Davis with six catches for 68 yards.
So getting him out on the practice field is significant.
“Feeling good,” Williams said. “Felt good to go run around, test it today. It’s going in the right direction for sure.”
“I thought he looked pretty good,” Gruden said. “He’s still questionable, we’ll see. Give him one more day to go out and test that foot.”
• Williams was listed as limited, as was right tackle Trent Brown (calf), who also missed the Green Bay game. Those who didn’t practice included Josh Jacobs (shoulder), Gabe Jackson (knee), Rodney Hudson (ankle) and Arden Key (knee).
Jacobs rushed for 121 yards against Green Bay, much of it after a pain-killing injection after the first series. Jackson played all 66 snaps in his first game back after an MCL strain and had swelling in his knee, Gruden said. It remains to be seen whether any of those who sat out could actually miss the game.
NEW KID ON THE BLOCK >> With Key likely out for the Houston game with a knee injury, the Raiders signed free agent Kasim Edebali, a six-year veteran defensive end who will get a look this week to see if he can give some help at defensive end.
Edebali’s best season was in 2016, when he had five sacks for the New Orleans Saints. He played briefly with Cincinnati last season.
“Obviously, with Cle Ferrell missing a game a couple of weeks ago and Arden Key out, Edebali’s played pretty good for a couple different teams,” Gruden said. “He’s got some pass rush to him. He;’s a really good, hardworking kid. We’re happy to have him.”
CONLEY’S IMPACT WITH HOUSTON >> “It definitely will be weird,” said receiver Tyrell Williams on going against former teammate said. “He was just here a couple days ago and now to see him and be playing against him.”
Carr, who spent his middle school and early high school years in Houston when his brother David was quarterback of the Texans, did offer up one thought on what Conley will like about his new state.
“There’s no state tax there,” Carr said. “He’ll like that.”