The Oakland Raiders undoubtedly improved the talent of the roster this offseason, but they didn’t address the cornerback position or bring in a top pass-rusher. After finishing last in the NFL in points allowed last season, the Raiders focused on rebuilding the front seven.
That means the No. 1 cornerback on the roster is 2013 first-round draft pick D.J. Hayden and the top pass-rusher is 2014 first-round pick Khalil Mack. That should be a good thing, but Hayden has yet to develop into a shutdown cornerback.
Hayden enters a make-or-break year as a key player on a defense hoping to improve significantly in 2015.