D.J. Hayden Enters Make-or-Break Year as Key Player on Raiders Defense

June 6, 2015   ·   Christopher Hansen   ·   Jump to comments

The Oakland Raiders undoubtedly improved the talent of the roster this offseason, but they didn’t address the cornerback position or bring in a top pass-rusher. After finishing last in the NFL in points allowed last season, the Raiders focused on rebuilding the front seven.  
That means the No. 1 cornerback on the roster is 2013 first-round draft pick D.J. Hayden and the top pass-rusher is 2014 first-round pick Khalil Mack. That should be a good thing, but Hayden has yet to develop into a shutdown cornerback.
Hayden enters a make-or-break year as a key player on a defense hoping to improve significantly in 2015. It’s reasonable to think that a flop by Hayden could mean a flop by the defense and a flop by the defense could mean a flop for the entire team.
If there were one player other than Mack that can take Oakland’s defense to the next level, it’s Hayden. He’s still talented despite having missed so much time with various injuries, bu...

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