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Former college star turned NFL draft bust has shown signs of life, and the Packers could use that to solve a big roster issue

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Wendell Ferreira | Last updated May 21, 2025 9:34 AM ET

There's an internet meme saying that when you read the expression "former first-rounder," you know it's a really, really bad player. Well, the meme is actually a little more aggressive, but you get the point. However, better circumstances and a different moment of a player's life can truly have an impact during a second chance.

This is what the Green Bay Packers could get from cornerback Damon Arnette, a former Ohio State star.

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. After performing well in the UFL, though, Arnette is now attempting to make an NFL comeback.

After three years away from football, he signed with the Houston Roughnecks and has had success trying to rebuild his career. In seven games for the Roughnecks, Arnette has had 18 tackles, a sack, an interception returned to a touchdown, and five pass breakups.

"I'm a dawg on the field," Arnette told Aaron Wilson. I'm more of a professional now than I ever was before. I wasn't a professional before. I was just a dawg. I found professionalism and a calm state of mind. I feel like I'm the best version of myself that I've ever been."

Off-field issues plagued Arnette throughout his NFL career and are a significant reason he's no longer in the league. Older and more experienced, though, the cornerback thinks he can be part of a different story now.

"One, I had to take a look in the mirror. I had to make some serious life changes," Arnette added. "And the main thing that I did was I invited back my support system, my foundation, and that's probably something I will never let go of again because I see how dangerous it is to be trying to navigate in a new world, new environment, new situations with no experience."

If Arnette has actually changed his life, his performance on the field could reach a level it never did in the NFL.

Packers' cornerback depth

Right now, the Green Bay Packers have, for sure, Keisean Nixon, Nate Hobbs, and Carrington Valentine as viable starters. The Jaire Alexander situation is still ongoing and undecided. In terms of depth, the roster has seventh-rounder Micah Robinson, former practice-squaders Kamal Hadden and Kalen King, lower-level additions Isaiah Dunn and Kaleb Hayes, plus undrafted free agents Johnathan Baldwin and Tyron Herring.

Even if the Packers keep Jaire, but especially if they don't, there's room to add a player who is still Young at 28 and has the talent to play at a high level.

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

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