DJ Hayden, CB, Houston

[Spaceboy1]

I think everyone knows by know he tore his anterior vena cava during practice a few weeks back and was in the hospital almost a week. I think he is as the ability to be a very productive corner in the NFL if he can return 100% from his injury. What are thoughts on him and anyone know if he will be able to play again?

[Spaceboy1]

Wow no thoughts on this kid that survived terrible odds???

[Spaceboy1]

Hayden is home and resting now. Should have full recovery!

[bulldog0123]

That's great that he is recovering. I really liked him before the injury.

[Spaceboy1]

Mayock has DJ Hayden the #3 corner on the board!

http://www.nfl.com/draft/story/0ap10...spect-rankings

[rawdawg]

I don't know that anyone takes him as the 3rd CB, but that's about where he'd be without that injury. I'm thinking late 3rd to early 4th for him. I feel like taking guys like this can work out great if all things work out for him.

After the first 3 rounds, I'd go after guys who have earlier round talent but had injury issues or guys that were big time talents in HS that had issues in college, whether with injuries, off field or stuck down on the depth chart.

[princefielder28]

If there wasn't the injury i think his game has the kind of potential to be a Top 5 corner in this class, and he's going to be worth a mid round gamble to hope that he'll be have no ill-effects from this injury.

[Brown Leader]

Mayock said, if his medical checks out, he's a first round pick.

[princefielder28]

Originally Posted by Brown Leader

Mayock said, if his medical checks out, he's a first round pick.

I can see second round, but I don't think first round is a possibility. Mayock likes him as a prospect, but this feels like a case where he's overplaying it a bit so he can be the one to say he was a big supporter and then the final rankings at the position will have Hayden sitting at the bottom of the top 5.

[D-Unit]

If one team likes him enough, then he will be a first round pick. Maybe Mayock is listening to someone who thinks that.

[princefielder28]

Originally Posted by D-Unit

If one team likes him enough, then he will be a first round pick. Maybe Mayock is listening to someone who thinks that.

Dontari Poe was a Top 15 pick last year so I guess really anything is possible.

[nobodyinparticular]

DJ Hayden is in a position that he could go absolutely anywhere in the draft. Bottom of the 1st to UDFA.

I could see some team getting an absolute steal if he drops to day 3.

[Scott Wright]

I was conservative and put Hayden as a mid-rounder in my last rankings update due to the medical questions but there is no question he is a Top 100 talent. It doesn't sound like there will be any long-term ramifications from the injury so I will be moving him up in the next update.

[Dacitykats]

really like him as a prospect, any info on his medicals?

[bulldog0123]

If anybody wants to see how good he is, just watch the Houston vs Penn State bowl game. He was making plays.

[Iamcanadian]

His fate is in the doctor's hands, whatever they say will determine where he is drafted. If they say, he can return 100%, he could go late round 1 or somewhere in round 2, if they give him a doubtful assessment, he'll drop considerably.

[Grizzlegom]

Mayock just said on his conference call that Hayden is his top CB now.

[princefielder28]

Originally Posted by Grizzlegom

Mayock just said on his conference call that Hayden is his top CB now.

I just don't see it. He had a significant injury and has played a little over a year in a conference that's far from the tops. He is a fast player but doesn't have great size or build.

[gpngc]

D.J. Hayden, CB, Houston

-above average NFL speed and quickness
-small and slender, injury came after a tackle attempt in a pile
-His number one positive is how quickly he breaks on the ball, his number two positive is how well he plays m2m trail technique in the hip pocket of the receiver
-small, zero in run support, easily blocked, sometimes pushed all the way down the field
-quick
-natural cover ability in m2m
-terrific breaks on the ball
-coushin gets eaten up, gets stacked on vertical routes, but good recovery speed and plays the pocket (good for trail). he can get beat deep
-not a great tackler, but makes some saving stops
-can't catch

So these are my notes on him.

My impression was meh. But as I look back on these notes, I think I missed the point.

Simply put, he has all the attributes of a top CB. NFL teams that are comfortable with his size will take him high.

[phlysac]

Originally Posted by princefielder28

I just don't see it. He had a significant injury and has played a little over a year in a conference that's far from the tops. He is a fast player but doesn't have great size or build.

5'11" 190+ is pretty standard size for a CB. I'm confused, I guess.

[energizerbunny]

I' am not really sure where he is going to go, I would say 15-32 right now.... but wouldn't be the least bit surprised to see him taken over Rhodes or Milliner... Lets face it, guys that are phenomenal M2M guys never get very far in the draft, especially if the medicals are cleared (like they have been rumoured to be).

[descendency]

Originally Posted by Scott Wright

I was conservative and put Hayden as a mid-rounder in my last rankings update due to the medical questions but there is no question he is a Top 100 talent. It doesn't sound like there will be any long-term ramifications from the injury so I will be moving him up in the next update.

Not to be a smartass, but what is the difference between a mid round grade and a top 100 talent? Doesn't that basically mean the same thing?

I'm just curious where you would have him if he weren't a medical risk, because I've seen people say he's a first rounder and other say he's a 4th rounder.

[Spaceboy1]

He is going in the first round

[princefielder28]

Originally Posted by phlysac

5'11" 190+ is pretty standard size for a CB. I'm confused, I guess.

Yeah, it's standard not great.

[phlysac]

Originally Posted by princefielder28

Yeah, it's standard not great.

True, but you mentioned it like he doesn't have qualities that could make him a top-CB.

Saying someone is fast but doesn't have great size reads to me that he might be undersized.

He's bigger and faster than Trufant.