Bill Williamson, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Revisiting DJ Hayden, Menelik Watson draft trade

Two years into their careers, DJ Hayden and Menelik Watson -- two centerpieces of the Reggie McKenzie Oakland Raiders --– are far from sure things.

Hayden, a cornerback taken with the No. 12 overall pick in 2013, has been saddled by health issues and inconsistency, even though he has shown some potential. Hayden will get a chance to continue to show he can be a consistent starter. Watson, a tackle who was the No. 42 overall pick in 2013, has been an inconsistent starter. The Raiders are moving Austin Howard to right tackle, meaning that the team doesn’t think Watson is ready to be a clear starter, although he still has potential.

Hayden and Watson, of course, were the players McKenzie chose with the picks he got for trading the No. 3 pick to Miami during the 2013 draft. Looking back at the deal, the issue doesn’t seem to be the fact that McKenzie swapped the No. 3 pick, although it could be argued that he could have held out for more than simply the No. 12 and No. 42 picks. There was no surefire star the Raiders missed at No. 3. Miami took Dion Jordan, and the defensive end is teetering on being a bust.

The issue is that McKenzie might have gotten better players than Hayden and Watson in exchange for the valuable No. 3 pick. The two players taken directly after Hayden, defensive tackles Sheldon Richardson (Jets) and Star LotuleleiĀ (Panthers), have been outstanding. They were considered better prospects than Hayden and would have filled a need. Safety Eric Reid, taken six picks after Hayden by the 49ers, has the look of being perennial Pro Bowl player.

In the second round, there are several players taken in Watson's range who have become solid players. They include Tampa Bay cornerback Johnthan Banks (No. 43), Buffalo inside linebacker Kiko Alonso (46), Pittsburgh running back Le'Veon Bell (48) and New England linebacker Jamie Collins (52). Many in scouting circles believe that once the draft gets past the first 35 picks, most of the next 20-25 prospects are in the same class. Thus, the scouting process is critical.

Again, it’s too early to cast Hayden and Watson aside. But if neither becomes an impact player, it'll be clear thatĀ the Raiders could have selected better after the making the Miami trade.

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