ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) — The Oakland Raiders have selected Houston cornerback D.J. Hayden with the 12th overall pick after trading down in the NFL draft.
General manager Reggie McKenzie traded the third overall pick to Miami on Thursday night for the pick to draft Hayden and the 42nd overall pick. That deal gives Oakland a second-round pick after trading its own previously in the deal for Carson Palmer.
It is a remarkable comeback for Hayden, who was moments from death last November after an on-field collision with a teammate tore a blood vessel off the back of his heart. He was taken to a hospital and underwent lifesaving surgery. He ran a 4.33 40-yard dash at Houston’s pro day in March and became a first-round pick.
