NAPA –- Raiders cornerback DJ Hayden has taken some heat for not being a consistent member of the first unit in training camp.
The No. 12 overall pick in the 2013 draft was expected to be the team’s top corner when the Raiders decided to go young at cornerback, but Keith McGill and a very solid TJ Carrie are young players in the running for that title.
Hayden had struggled some against new Raiders receivers Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper in recent days while working with the first unit.
On Thursday, Hayden was on point. He had a few pass breakups in coverage, but his finest effort was an interception of Derek Carr that could’ve been returned for a touchdown in a live setting.