ALAMEDA, Calif. -- The Oakland Raiders are scheduled to have 13 unrestricted free agents this offseason, after the team broke through with a 12-4 season and its first playoff appearance since 2002.
On offense: offensive lineman Menelik Watson, tight end Mychal Rivera, receiver Andre Holmes, quarterback Matt McGloin and running back Latavius Murray.
On defense: defensive back DJ Hayden, defensive tackle Stacy McGee, linebackers Malcolm Smith, Perry Riley, Jr. and Daren Bates and safeties Nate Allen and Brynden Trawick.
And on special teams: long-snapper Jon Condo.
CB DJ Hayden
Age: 26
2016 base salary: $1,812,777
Why he should stay: Hayden may never live up to his standing as a first-round draft pick taken 12th overall in 2013 out of Houston -- the Raiders were ready to select him at No. 3, despite his nearly dying a few months prior after a nasty practice collision, had they not been able to trade back -- and truly, it’s not Hayden’s fault the Raiders took him so early. Indeed, he started to carve out a role for himself in the slot as Oakland’s nickel corner, and the Raiders still trusted him enough that he started on the outside twice last year before a hamstring injury ended his season after 11 games. Hayden, who also has become a sure tackler and had a forced fumble last season, is a complementary piece for a defense on the rise, and continuity is a good thing in such cases.
Why he should go: Hayden had big goals entering last season, like getting a pick-six ... or three. Instead, for the first time in his career, he did not have an interception. In fact, he only has three career picks, for no yards. As noted above, it’s not his fault the Raiders used a first-round draft pick on him, or that three cornerbacks taken after Hayden -- Desmond Trufant, Xavier Rhodes and Tyrann Mathieu -- already have been selected to the Pro Bowl. Bust may be too harsh, but there is definitely a feeling both team and player would benefit from a change of scenery. Besides not coming up with INTs, Hayden also was one of the more penalized players in Oakland. And his overall Pro Football Focus grade of 48.6 was just 97th among cornerbacks, while the QB rating against him of 85.5 -- he gave up 36 catches for 341 yards and two TDs with four passes defensed on 61 targets in 296 snaps in coverage -- was only 75th among cornerbacks.
The quote: “Keep being aggressive. We want him to be aggressive and compete. I think he’s done that and he’s had a pretty solid year for us.” -- Raiders coach Jack Del Rio, on Hayden before he went on season-ending injured reserve.
The thought: Shy of a cap-friendly deal, it’s hard to see Hayden returning to Oakland. A change of scenery to a team that will not have first-round expectations of him may benefit Hayden the most.