With the Raiders releasing slot cornerback Lamarcus Joyner this offseason, one of the major questions has been who will replace his duties there. Some have inquired if perhaps veteran Casey Hayward, who the team signed in early May, would take that job. Hayward seems to have laid that to rest today.
“I’ve just been outside,” Hayward said of his time with Raiders so far. “I don’t really know too much about inside. I haven’t played inside in a while.”
Hayward went on to say that if the team asked him to do it, he would. But they have not asked him to do that.
The tenth year veteran was brought in presumably to battle for the starter opposite Trayvon Mullen. That battle would be with 2020 rookie starter Damon Arnette. Unless, of course, the team moves Arnette inside. Which looks to be far more likely at this point than Hayward making that move.
Other possibilities to play the slot include Amik Robertson, Nevin Lawson, and rookie Nate Hobbs.