The Washington Commanders need depth at cornerback. On Friday, Washington released veteran cornerback D.J. Hayden, leaving the Commanders with only four corners on the offseason roster.
Hayden signed with Washington’s practice squad in Dec. 2021 but did not appear in a game. In January, the Commanders signed the veteran corner to a reserve/future contract allowing Hayden to spend the offseason with the team and potentially earn a roster spot in the summer.
Hayden was a first-round pick by the then-Oakland Raiders in 2013. After four years with the Raiders, Hayden played for the Lions and Jaguars before signing with Washington late last season.
We have released CB D.J. Hayden
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) April 8, 2022
This is obviously not a significant loss for Washington. The Commanders could sign other cornerbacks still available in free agency that offer more than Hayden at this point in his career. Still, it was surprising to see Washington waive Hayden only months after adding him to the offseason roster.
After releasing Hayden, the Commanders have Kendall Fuller, William Jackson III, Benjamin St-Juste and Corn Elder on the roster. Bobby McCain is back and can play corner, but he is Washington’s free safety. Troy Apke is also back, but he remains strictly a special-teams player.
Washington will almost certainly be in the market for a corner in the 2022 NFL draft, but how high will the Commanders select a cornerback? It all depends on who falls to them at No. 11 or No. 47. Otherwise, Washington may look to sign a veteran and add a corner on day three of the draft.