Ravens claim CB Trayvon Mullen, cousin of QB Lamar Jackson, off waivers
One of the Ravens’ offseason needs is to acquire cornerbacks. They made some progress on that Monday, claiming Trayvon Mullen off of waivers.
A second-round pick in the 2019 NFL draft, Mullen has made 31 starts in his professional career. He also happens to be a cousin of star quarterback Lamar Jackson, who is at the center of the Ravens’ biggest offseason to-do item.
Jackson is not under contract with the Ravens, but coach John Harbaugh and general manager Eric DeCosta said last week that they are confident they’ll be able to sign him to a long-term deal. The club could also trade Jackson, but DeCosta did not discuss such a possibility last week during last week’s season-ending news conference, instead focusing on the possibility of a deal.
Mullen was on two national championship teams at Clemson before being selected by the Oakland Raiders with the No. 40 overall pick. He tallied 134 tackles and four interceptions from 2019 to 2021 and was traded to the Arizona Cardinals this past season. He was released by the Cardinals and claimed by the Dallas Cowboys last month, who recently waived him.
His addition will add depth to a position of need for the Ravens. DeCosta said last week he expected to add cornerbacks to the team via free agency or the NFL draft.
“Regarding the corner position, we’re a team that always feels like you can never have enough good corners,” he said.
Jackson and Mullen, born just eight months apart, both grew up in South Florida and played on opposing teams since they were 5 years old, according to a 2019 story by The Greenville News about their relationship. They faced each other in youth football, middle school, high school and even college. Now, they might be on the same team.
Mullen told the Greenville News that he and Jackson talk every day. After a 2021 game between the Ravens and Raiders, the two exchanged jerseys.
Mullen’s younger brother, Tiawan Mullen, was a standout cornerback at Indiana and is expected to be drafted this year.
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