The needle has been pointing up for the Raiders this offseason after they added several free agents to a developing roster built around young players like Khalil Mack, Amari Cooper and Derek Carr.
Cornerback DJ Hayden joins Mack and Cooper as recent first-round picks in Oakland, but not on most lists of reasons to feel optimistic about the Raiders in 2016. Hayden missed 14 games with injuries in his first two seasons and his play in 2015 wasn’t enough to convince the team to exercise their option on his contract for next season, leaving Hayden staring at a crucial year for his future NFL prospects.
Hayden missed the final practice of minicamp with a leg injury, which fits the profile Hayden has built over the last few years. Coach Jack Del Rio called it minor, however, and said Hayden can redefine himself over the coming months.
“I really believe that,” Del Rio said, via CSNBayArea.com. “As a player, it’s never too late. You can redefine yourself, turn the corner and peel labels off that maybe people have for you and create your own. I feel like he’s on his way to doing that this year.”
With Sean Smith joining the team and David Amerson back, Hayden’s first step will be winning playing time in the secondary. If he does that, he’ll have a chance to write a different story as he heads into free agency.
