The Las Vegas Raiders have become one of the hottest teams in the NFL. With a brand new stadium in a new city, there is a considerable amount of buzz surrounding the Raiders going into the offseason.
With that buzz, the Raiders are hoping that they can use it to attract some key free agents. After an excellent 2019 draft, the team is stacked with young talent. While drafting will be just as important as always, free agency will be the main way to add talent.
If the Raiders can add a couple of savvy veterans, the team transforms from a young team with talent to a certified contender. One such veteran the Raiders have been rumored to target is Dallas Cowboys cornerback Byron Jones.
Rumors aside, it appears that Jones is definitely one Raiders’ targets as fellow cornerback Trayvon Mullen reached out to him to train together as a bit of a recruiting pitch, via his personal Twitter:
Somebody tell Byron Jones, T Mullen want to get some work in 🦅
— Trayvon Mullen Jr (@MullenIsland1) March 6, 2020
I spoke with Byron, everything is all good 😎
— Trayvon Mullen Jr (@MullenIsland1) March 8, 2020
The Raiders could certainly use Jones’ skills on the outside of their defense as they had one of the worst pass defenses in the NFL.
Although he is still one of the most coveted corners this offseason, Jones did not record an interception and had just six passes defensed in 2019. This marks Jones’ second year without an interception, although in 2018 he did record 14 pass defenses while being named to the Pro Bowl.
Holding down the other end of the Raiders’ cornerback equation was Daryl Worley in 2019 after trading away Gareon Conley. Worley played considerably more snaps than Mullen, yet had similar stats. Worley finished his season with one interception and eight passes defensed. Worley will enter free agency this summer, so Jones very well could be his replacement.
Either way, the Raiders certainly need to improve their pass defense. Although there are a number of ways to do that, Mullen improving will definitely be a focal point. Although his training session with Jones appears to be much more than that, hopefully, he can at least come away with a fresh look on the position.
He also recently worked out with one of the all-time great wide receivers, Chad Ochocinco, which should only benefit him moving forward.
