Oakland Raiders: Five Players Under The Most Pressure To Produce Now
By Kevin Saito
Dec 28, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Oakland Raiders cornerback D.J. Hayden (25) interferes on a pass intended for Denver Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (10) in the third quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Raiders 47-14. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Nobody on the Raiders’ roster – aside from Trent Richardson – has more to prove than D.J. Hayden. Also a former first round pick – twelfth overall in the 2013 draft – Hayden has spent more time in the trainer’s room than on the field. He’s dangerously close, in the minds of some, to attaining that notorious “bust” label.
Following surgery for a freak accident that could very well have killed him, Hayden missed the first half of the 2013 season. An ankle and foot injury cost him most of the 2014 season. As a result of all the time on the DL and the lack of playing and practice time, Hayden’s development has been slowed tremendously.
But when he has been on the field, he has shown – in spurts – that he can be a very, very good player. The trouble is, because he’s spent so much time off the field, he’s also very, very inconsistent to this point. He’s followed up a tremendously spectacular play by getting burned deep on the very next play. It’s maddening because we’ve seen how good he can be.
Completely healthy, Hayden is being given his shot to prove his worth, to prove that he can be the cornerback that McKenzie thought he was getting when he drafted him. He’s pretty well slotted in to be one of Oakland’s two starting corners – with Travis Carrie likely the other starter and Keith McGill playing a nickel corner role.
It seems safe to say that this is a make or break year for Hayden. If he can’t stay healthy, continues his inconsistent tendencies, or just flat out can’t cut it, Raider fans shouldn’t expect to see him back next season.