The Raiders addressed many areas during the 2015 NFL Free Agency but for the most part neglected the cornerback position, signing only former Carolina Panthers backup James Dockery and drafting Dexter McDonald Jr. in the seventh round of this year’s NFL Draft. If the team is going to contend in 2015, this position needs to step up.
Oakland Raiders Cornerbacks an Area of Concern
Oakland has some young talent, but for the most part the players are inexperienced and unknown in the league, leading many to believe the team did not do enough to address this position, and will result in more losses than wins, especially in a division with Peyton Manning and Philip Rivers. Let’s take a closer look at those players expected to play a major role in 2015.
D.J. (Derek, Jr.) Hayden – drafted in round 1, pick 12 of the 2013 NFL Draft
Everyone is very familiar with Hayden’s injury issues in college. As a senior in college, Hayden tore a large vein, the inferior vena cave, which carries blood from the lower half of the body back up to the heart. Before the injury he played in nine games, and recorded eight pass breakups, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and four interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns. He was named to the Coaches first-team All-Conference USA.
At 5’11”, 191lbs, Hayden has very good foot quickness allowing him to handle man coverage responsibilities on the outside and in the slot equally well. He closes fast when playing off and is a stronger than expected tackler. Hayden has yet been unable to lock down a starting job however, dealing with injuries his first two years in the league, and was actually replaced by second year player Keith McGill during the team’s recent mini-camp.
In 2014, Hayden played in 10 games, starting 8. He totaled 42 tackles, 10 passes defensed, and one interception.
Keith McGill – drafted in round 4, pick 16 of the 2014 NFL Draft
McGill lasted until the fourth round due to injury and personal issues. McGill Graduated high school in 2007 but did not play in 2008. He Enrolled at Cerritos (California) College in 09, earning Southern California Football Association Northern Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2010. He arrived in Utah in 2011 but then sustained a season-ending shoulder injury after playing just the first five games. He then missed the entire 2012 season due to extensive rehab of the shoulder, which required surgery. Then he was arrested for DUI. Healthy in 2013, McGill started all 12 games at cornerback, and seems to have turned around his questionable past. Speaking of his past issues McGill had this to say “It was probably 2012 where I grew as a person. I made some mistakes. I sat down with the coaches and talked about determining where I wanted my life to go. I realized that everything could be taken away in a flash, and that the window was closing. There comes a point in time in your life where you make a decision to become a man or remain a boy. That’s what I did before the 2013 season. It got me in the situation I am in now.”
McGill is a big, athletic, press-man corner. At 6’3”, 211lbs, he has extremely long arms and large hands. During the NFL combine he recorded a 39” vertical jump and 10’9” broad jump. He did however also record the worst 3-cone time (7.20 seconds) among cornerbacks at the combine. He was a 25 year old rookie which may have also contributed to his falling down the draft boards.
Playing in 12 games last year, starting one, McGill totaled 9 tackles, and one pass defensed.
Travis “T.J.” Carrie – drafted in round 7, pick 4 of the 2014 NFL Draft
Much like Keith McGill, Carrie had to overcome some injury and personal issues in college. The California prep lettered for two years despite undergoing open heart surgery as a sophomore. Carrie missed the 2009 season due to surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left hip. He also ran into trouble when he bought a computer that had been stolen from the school, he pleaded guilty to receiving stolen property and was sentenced to 48 hours in jail. Carrie then missed the 2012 season after fracturing his right shoulder during the first week of camp, requiring surgery. He did however appear in all 13 games in 2013. Carrie was a 24 year old rookie.
Carrie does have outstanding size, measuring in at 6’0”, and 206lbs. He looks the part of NFL defensive back with a sculpted physique. He was not able to work out at the NFL combine because of a right knee injury.
Carrie was able to play in 13 games last year, staring four. He managed 37 tackles, 8 passes defensed, and one interception.
It is apparent that the Raiders are rolling the dice going into 2015 with some talented, yet inexperienced players at the cornerback position. Head Coach Jack Del Rio does feel comfortable with this group recently saying “As a staff coming in and evaluating, we felt like that was one of the more talented positions that needed to develop. Certainly staying healthy will be important for DJ. Carrie played well in his role. We feel like that group has a chance to develop beyond where they are. There are pretty solid young guys right there that we look forward to working with and helping them play at a higher level.” With improvement everywhere else on the roster, it would be a shame if this trio can’t play at the level expected of their coaches, teammates, and fans.
Main Photo:
OAKLAND, CA. – NOVEMBER 09: Oakland Raiders cornerback D.J. Hayden (25) tips a pass intended for Denver Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (10) during the first quarter November 9, 2014 at O.co Coliseum. Hayden came up with the tip for the interception. (Photo By John Leyba/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
