Silver Minings: Let’s not forget about cornerback Isaiah Johnson

The Athletic had a story on Raiders’ second-year cornerback Isaiah Johnson on Tuesday, which chronicles Johnson’s journey from being a fourth-round pick in 2019 and dealing with injuries.

He missed most of last season with a facial fracture (ouch) and then he had offseason back surgery, according to The Athletic, but now Johnson is determined to stay healthy and make a difference in the Raiders’ secondary.

Johnson could be a wild card for the Raiders in 2020, as the team was extremely high on him when they drafted him. The Raiders took cornerback Trayvon Mullen in the second round in 2019, and then selected cornerbacks Damon Arnette (first round) and Amik Robertson (fourth round) this year.

Spending first, second and two fourth round picks on the same positions in back-to-back drafts is a huge commitment. Perhaps Johnson’s injury history was one of the reasons why the Raiders took both Arnette and Robertson. But if Johnson, a Houston product who played sparingly in five games as a rookie, can stay healthy and develop, the Raiders could be extremely deep at cornerback for the long-term.

In other Raiders’ links:

• Helmet hunt: The Raiders are having fun getting to know their new community.
• Big hopes for Ruggs: An NFL Network analyst thinks Raiders’ receiver Henry Riggs III will make the biggest impact of all rookies.
• Seabass to HOF? Former Raiders’ kicker Sebastian Janikowski is a nominee for the College Football Hall of Fame.
• All-in Challenge: As part of the great charity, Modelo is teaming with the Raiders for a great opportunity.
• Matthew Stafford in Silver and Black? PFF conducted a re-draft and the Lions’ quarterback was taken by Raiders.