Detroit Lions nab free-agent cornerback D.J. Hayden from Oakland
A first-round pick by the Oakland Raiders in 2013, D.J. Hayden has three career interceptions.
D.J. Hayden never lived up to his promise as a first-round pick because of injuries and other reasons, but the Detroit Lions are betting that the now-former Oakland Raider still has something to give to their underwhelming secondary.
The Lions agreed to a free-agent deal with Hayden on Friday, a person familiar with the signing but not authorized to talk about it publicly said. According to ESPN, Hayden can make up to $5.25 million on the one-year contract.
Hayden was the 12th pick of the 2013 NFL draft despite missing the end of his senior season at Houston with a heart injury. He tore the large vein that carries blood from the lower half of the body to the heart in a practice collision. The injury usually is fatal.
In the NFL, injuries have continued to dog Hayden. He missed time his first two years with groin and ankle injuries, played all 16 games in 2015, then finished last season on injured reserve with a hamstring injury.
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In Oakland, Hayden appeared in 45 games with 25 starts and made three interceptions. He played primarily as a slot cornerback last year, a position the Lions have been looking to upgrade this off-season.
Quandre Diggs, who's coming off of a season-ending torn pectoral, struggled in his second season as the Lions' starting nickel corner.
The Lions, who return starting cornerbacks Darius Slay and Nevin Lawson, hosted K’Waun Williams on a free agent visit last month before he signed with the San Francisco 49ers.
Less than 24 hours into free agency, the Lions have added four rotational players to their defense. On Wednesday, they agreed to a one-year deal with linebacker Paul Worrilow. At the start of free agency Thursday, the Lions signed defensive linemen Akeem Spence and Cornelius Washington.
Fells visit: The Lions are hosting tight end Darren Fells on a free agent visit today. Fells, 30, spent the last three years with the Arizona Cardinals, but was non-tendered as a restricted free agent.
He has just 40 catches for 536 yards in his career but is considered one of the best blocking tight ends in the NFL and would help a Lions running game that ranked 30th in the league last year.
The Lions have been looking for upgrades to a unit that has little experience beyond Eric Ebron. They missed out on signing Logan Paulsen, who agreed to a contract with the San Francisco 49ers. They reportedly also are interested in former Green Bay Packers tight end Jared Cook.
Return man Philly Brown also is visiting the Lions.
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