Raiders release cornerback Prince Amukamara after disappointing camp

The Las Vegas Raiders have released veteran cornerback Prince Amukamara.

The Las Vegas Raiders are clearly committed to the youth movement at the cornerback position. At least that’s the sentiment that seems to be supported by the release of veteran Prince Amukamara earlier on Monday.

As first reported by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Raiders have released Amukamara after signing him to a one-year, $1.18 million deal in the offseason.

Only $50,000 of his contract was guaranteed and given the developments we’ve seen recently in practice, this doesn’t come as the biggest surprise. Still, it’s not something most expected when the team signed him back in May.

The Raiders signed Amukamara to provide further stability at a very young and inexperienced cornerback position.

Second-year cornerback Trayvon Mullen was and still is expected to hold down one starting job, but the team wanted to give 2020 first-round pick Damon Arnette some competition for the spot opposite Mullen.

Given Amukamara’s solid play over the last few years, it made sense — especially with an uncertain summer awaiting Arnette and the rest of the Raiders’ rookies.

However, Arnette has shined brighter than anyone could have expected picking up the defense quickly and looking like one of the team’s best defensive players.

Arnette seems to have secured the starting job opposite Mullen, but that wasn’t the only thing that contributed to Amukamara’s release.

Multiple Raiders cornerbacks surpassed Prince Amukamara on the depth chart.

The veteran received first-team reps early in training camp, but soon found himself relegated to the second or third team while others around him flourished. The likes of Keisean Nixon, Isaiah Johnson, and Nevin Lawson have all received first-team reps instead of Amukamara.

And even fourth-round rookie Amik Robertson, primarily a slot cornerback, saw time on the outside with the first-team defense. All the while, Amukamara has been stuck playing with the backups.

A disappointing camp combined with the Raiders’ commitment to their young cornerbacks led to Amukamara’s release. And in reality, the writing had been on the wall.

The Raiders are not only believers in the long-term prospects of their young corners, but they believe that they can step in and contribute immediately.

Amukamara was simply insurance in case the young players on the team were not ready. But in training camp, they’ve proved that they are more than ready to compete.

And as a result, Amukamara’s services were no longer required.