Las Vegas Raiders

Raiders find out that DJ Hayden is still pretty useful

Published Dec. 8, 2015 10:43 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Oakland Raiders aren't giving up on their 2013 first-round pick just yet.

DJ Hayden emerged as the team's nickel cornerback during Sunday's home loss to Kansas City. He played 24 snaps on the day, as opposed to five all last week.

He didn't disappoint, either. Hayden was targeted once in 18 pass coverage snaps and didn't surrender a catch, according to CSN Bay Area's Scott Bair.

Hayden has clearly lost his starting job to free-agent pickup David Amerson. He still might be the better option over Neiko Thorpe, though.

He still has value in Oakland. NFL offenses deploy more three-receiver sets than ever; good slot cornerbacks are tough to come by.

(h/t CSN Bay Area)