D.J. Hayden was one of the feel-good stories from the 2013 draft. The Raiders took the cornerback despite the fact he suffered a potentially life-threatening heart injury in his final season of college and hadn’t played since November.
On Thursday, Hayden became a rich man when the No. 12 overall pick signed a deal that should be worth about $10.1 million over the next four years.
As CSN Bay Area points out, Hayden was the player Oakland general manager Reggie McKenzie wanted all along in the first round. Apparently, he would have grabbed the former University of Houston star at the No. 3 spot -- Oakland’s original position -- but instead, he gambled, traded down in the first round and still got Hayden at 12.
Hayden also underwent abdominal surgery in May to remove scar tissue, but he was supposed to be ready to play by the beginning of training camp.
For now, hayden appears ready to start with Mike Jenkins possibly starting on the other side of the defense. But Hayden still could have to beat out Tracy Porter in order to make the first team.