The Raiders, exercising a pick acquired from the Dolphins in a trade earlier on Thursday, selected Houston cornerback D.J. Hayden with the No. 12 overall choice in the 2013 NFL Draft.
PFT’s Mike Florio reported earlier Thursday that the Raiders had interest in Hayden, who was regarded as one of the top CB prospects available.
Hayden’s senior season at Houston was cut short by a freak accident. He suffered a ruptured inferior vena cava, a blood-vessel injury that can be fatal. However, he has recovered, and now, he figures to contend for a role in the Raiders’ secondary in his first NFL season.
Oakland originally held the No. 3 overall selection but dealt that to Miami for selections Nos. 12 and 42.
The Raiders, who are reworking their roster with general manager Reggie McKenzie in his second year at the helm, have seven more draft picks, with the second-rounder from Miami and their own third-round selection slated for Friday.