Oakland Raiders make up for 2013 draft bust

Nov 29, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Oakland Raiders cornerback David Amerson (29) breaks up a pass intended for Tennessee Titans wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham (17) during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Oakland won 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

Late in year three, the Oakland Raiders sat 2013 No. 12 overall D.J. Hayden on the bench, officially making him a bust. But in that same move, the Raiders also officially made up for that bust. The make-up started back in September, when the Raiders claimed Amerson, the Washington Redskins’ 2013 2nd-round pick, off waivers.

Amerson came in and helped the Raiders right away, starting in place of T.J. Carrie, who had to move to free safety for injured Nate Allen. When Allen came back, despite being the team’s best corner at the time, Amerson was moved to a nickel role instead of Hayden. Then in a Week 12 loss to the Detroit Lions, Amerson showed he is the best corner on the team period.

When Calvin Johnson took the rest of the Raiders corners up top, Amerson D’d him up and had four passes defended in the game. He was then elevated to the starting lineup for Week 12 and he turned in a great performance. In nine attempts going his way, he defended six of them, gave up one catch for five yards and had an interception.

This is the type of play the Raiders expected to see out of Hayden by year three but didn’t. Hayden just doesn’t fit the Raiders bump-and-run scheme and doesn’t play the ball well in man coverage. Amerson didn’t fit the off-man and zone scheme they run in Washington but fits the bump-and-run coverage they run in Oakland.

Both corners came from the 2013 draft and Amerson is where Hayden should be at this point.

This makes Amerson the perfect make-up for Hayden.