NFL: 8 players who would benefit from a change in scenery

6 of 9

Oct 4, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Eddie Royal (19) scores a touchdown past Oakland Raiders cornerback D.J. Hayden (25) during the first quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports /

4. D.J. Hayden (CB, Oakland Raiders)

The Oakland Raiders started off the season with one of the worst defenses in the league, and it was only after playing two of the least threatening offensive attacks – Chicago and Denver, both in losses – that they were able to move all the way up to 25th. Put one foot in front of the other and soon you’ll be walkin’ out the door.*

Despite this, the Raiders do have a handful of promising young defensive prospect. The most noteworthy is DE/LB Khalil Mack, but former Seahawk LB Malcolm Smith has also emerged as a stalwart defensive prospect. The Raiders were hoping to have some pieces in the secondary to build off of, particularly as Charles Woodson enters retirement territory.

D.J. Hayden was supposed to be the successor, and yet that has not come into fruition quite like the Raiders were hoping. Hayden has been plagued by injuries in his first two seasons, and when he has seen the field he has struggled with more physical receivers and with his ball skills in the air. Even so, he remains in the starting lineup since the team lacks all sorts of depth.

~~Possible but~~ Not Probable Destination: New England Patriots

Let me emphasize: Hayden is not going anywhere. It would be stupid for the Raiders to get rid of their most serviceable cornerback outside of Woodson, even if that player has been a disappointment. Who replaces him? David Amerson? T.J. Carrie? Hayden has been bad at making plays on the ball, but he is a good enough option to keep his backups on the bench.

For Hayden to leave, hypothetically the Raiders would have a reasonable replacement option.

As for the Patriots, they have a need in nickel packages. In fact, it’s one of their few needs; while Malcolm Butler and Tarell Brown have played better than expected, the Bradley Fletcher experiment went predictably awry. Placing a player – though timid now – in a situation where he can showcase his athleticism without worrying about covering the outside, may help with his development and turn him into the player Oakland thought they were getting.

*This is one of the many lessons to be learned from “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”.

Next: 3. Willie Young

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