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Football executive reveals that multiple teams explored signing a former first-round cornerback this offseason, and the Packers were among them

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Wendell Ferreira | Last updated Jun 27, 2025 9:51 PM ET

The Green Bay Packers might not be willing to make splash moves at cornerback, but that doesn't mean the team isn't considering additions to the roster. According to Aaron Wilson, an NFL insider for KPRC2, the Packers were among the teams that explored signing former first-round pick and Ohio State standout Damon Arnette after a successful stint with the Houston Roughnecks, from the UFL. Arnette signed a one-year veteran minimum contract with the Houston Texans.

Former NFL player and TV analyst Daryl Johnston, currently the UFL's executive vice president of football operations, mentioned that multiple teams reached out.

"It was a couple of teams that were reaching out on him," Johnston said. "He's got everything you want, he's got the length. He's a former first round draft pick, so the talent is there. It's really the maturity. Has he learned from what happened to him, his first opportunity when he was in Vegas? So, it was great to see the Houston Texans call, DeMeco Ryans."

Damon Arnette, surprisingly selected in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Las Vegas Raiders, played in 13 games over two seasons in the NFL and hasn't appeared in the big league game since 2021. Off-field issues were a big part of why his first NFL stint wasn't successful.

"I put a lot of effort into just making sure that Damon was in the right spot mentally, had put his past behind him," Johnston added. "There was genuine remorse about what had happened and then you get with the appropriate people to get the facts of the matter and, then, you weigh all those different elements into it. When we got down to it, we really felt that Damon had earned the right to have a second opportunity to change his life around. So, we're very proud of what he's done with this opportunity."

After three years away from football, he signed with the Houston Roughnecks and had success trying to rebuild his career.

In eight games for the Roughnecks, Arnette had 18 tackles, a sack, an interception returned for a touchdown, and five pass breakups.

Packers' depth

Green Bay is comfortable with its three starters, Keisean Nixon, Nate Hobbs, and Carrington Valentine. The depth beyond them is full of question marks, though, but the Packers are willing to see how training camp goes before making a determination.

"I like our depth there," general manager Brian Gutekunst told Cheesehead TV. "I do think between Kalen King, Kamal Hadden, and Micah Robinson, there's going to be some really good competition for the back end into that roster. I'm excited to give those guys that opportunity to see."

The UFL scout is part of the job for the pro personnel department, led by director Richmond Williams. The group has had a lot of success adding external pieces, including defensive backs Xavier McKinney and Rasul Douglas.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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