Before Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie hit home runs with his top two picks in 2014 and 2015, Khalil Mack and Amari Cooper, there was DJ Hayden in 2013.
The cornerback from Houston impressed McKenzie with his skill set and style of play, so McKenzie traded out of his No. 3 overall slot in 2013, picked up additional draft help and took Hayden with the 12th selection.
As every Raiders fan knows, Hayden has been far from a home run. He’s been more of a pop-up.
The cornerback has lost time to injury and been inconsistent, flashing nice talent on one play or over one or two games, only to follow it up with key mistakes. In 2015 he had the opportunity to seize a starting job, yet faltered. The team announced a few weeks ago, too, that it would decline the fifth-year option (for 2017) on Hayden’s rookie contract.
In 34 games over three seasons, Hayden has just three interceptions.
Now, following the Raiders’ offseason program, Hayden’s status for 2016 seems shaky, with David Amerson and Sean Smith penciled in at the starting corners and several other young DBs – such as TJ Carrie and Neiko Thorpe -- ready to challenge Hayden’s spot in training camp.
Yet recently, Hayden’s somewhat dim future received some light from head coach Jack Del Rio.
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Del Rio told the San Francisco Chronicle that “it’s never too late” for Hayden to take a step up.
“DJ Hayden had a really good spring. He really did,” Del Rio told the Chronicle. “I’m excited about his development.”
Hayden had to sit out the final day of the team’s recent full-squad minicamp because of a minor leg injury, but Del Rio dismissed the injury as nothing that would keep Hayden from competing for a job when training camp opens in July.
Del Rio still believes Hayden cab win the job as the team’s No. 3 corner and slot defender.
“He has terrific foot quickness,” Del Rio said. “He’s intelligent. Those things are definitely factors that help you in that slot.”
