NAPA -– A draft grade doesn’t come in after a selection is made. A prospect deserves time to develop and adjust to the NFL game before concrete assessments are made.
Two or three years is the industry standard.
Using that timetable, cornerback DJ Hayden needs to show the Raiders something this season. The No. 12 overall pick in the 2013 draft enters his third season nearly 10 months from his last rehab stint, a rare bout of health that should encourage development.
Hayden is an immensely talented cornerback -– he has solid footwork and speed to spare -- yet remains behind second-year players Keith McGill and TJ Carrie in the pecking order.