First Round Pick Damon Arnette Faces Up To Six Years If Convicted, NFL Future Uncertain

NFL: Kansas City Chiefs at Las Vegas Raiders
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Chiefs released second-year cornerback Damon Arnette on Saturday after the cornerback was arrested late Friday night in Las Vegas.

Arnette is currently booked at the Clark County Detention Center. The former first-round pick faces charges of assault with a deadly weapon, carrying a concealed weapon without a permit, and possession of controlled substances.

Assault with a deadly weapon is a category B felony and punishable by 1 to 6 years in state prison and a fine of up to $5000.00.

Arnette could face more prison time if charged and convicted with carrying a concealed weapon without a permit, and possession of controlled substances. However, if he is ultimately convicted, sentences could be handed down to be served concurrently.

Arnette, 25, is currently being held without bail. Arnette is supposed to appear in court this morning.

The former Ohio State Buckeye was a first-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, going 19th overall to the Raiders. He has played in just 13 games in two seasons, with three pass deflections and 29 combined tackles.

The pick Arnette was selected with by the Raiders, was originally a Bears pick, traded over to the then Oakland Raiders in the trade for star pass rusher Khalil Mack. In that trade, the Raiders were also able to draft Josh Jacobs, the leading rusher on the team in 2021.

This marks the second time Arnette has been cut since being drafted. A string of behavior issues and injuries have kept him from ever getting started in the National Football League.

After being dismissed by the Raiders in November for a video in which he flashed a gun and allegedly threatened to kill someone, Arnette was signed to the Miami Dolphins practice squad.

When the Dolphin’s season ended, his contract expired. He was then signed to a reserve/futures contract by the Chiefs and never played a game for the franchise this season.

The Raiders were used to turmoil in 2021. Former head coach Jon Gruden sent emails to then Washington GM Bruce Allen from 2011-2018 where Gruden used racist, misogynistic, and homophobic slurs.

The Raiders fired Gruden shortly after the report came out. Gruden was working at ESPN when the emails were sent, doing commentary for the Monday Night Football broadcast.

Gruden announced his plans to sue Goodell, with his lawyers stating that this was a ‘concerted effort by the league to ruin his career.’

Former Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs was arrested earlier this season after driving drunk and crashing into another vehicle, killing the driver. Ruggs’ blood alcohol level was 0.16 percent on the night of the crash, which is twice the legal limit for drivers in the state of Nevada.

Ruggs’ vehicle was driving as fast as 156 miles per hour before the deadly crash. The former Alabama first-round pick is currently on house arrest as he awaits trial, wearing two ankle monitors, one for GPS data and the other for alcohol.

The Raiders defied the odds this season and made the playoffs, losing a narrow game to the Bengals in Cincinnati.

Interim coach Rich Bisaccia played a crucial role in keeping that Raiders locker room together. It is easy to get distracted by outside forces when playing a season in the NFL. Bisaccia kept the group focused and even helped lead them to the playoffs.

Bisaccia can be credited with the emergence of the Raiders pass rush when he took over. Their defense caused problems for offenses all season long and was a big part of their postseason appearance.

Many fans question whether the Raiders should have retained Bisaccia as their head coach for the 2022 season.

Las Vegas is currently in the interview process for their next head coach. Patriots OC Josh McDaniels and Buccaneers DC Todd Bowles have received requests to interview for the Raiders vacant head coaching spot.

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