It’s no longer a fluke or just a small sample size. Casey Hayward Jr. is one of the league’s best cornerbacks. Period.
He had another incredible performance in Week 6, slowing down the passing attack for the Broncos. He had a fantastic pass breakup on what would have been a huge gain to Courtland Sutton despite a huge size differential.
In that game, he was targeted six times and allowed just 48 total yards. However, most of that yardage occurred in garbage time at the end of the game.
According to Pro Football Focus, no cornerback in the NFL has been better than Hayward this season. He is the site’s highest-graded cornerback through Week 6 with an overall grade of 82.7.
#Raiders CB Casey Hayward Jr. is @PFF's highest-graded cornerback after six weeks.
Has there been a better free-agent signing this offseason?
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) October 18, 2021
Hayward has yet to allow a touchdown reception this season and quarterbacks have a passer rating of just 55.1 when targeting him. Even at the age of 32, Hayward is showing he is among the best cornerbacks in the NFL.
It’s hard to make a case that there was a better free-agent signing in the NFL than Hayward. Not only has he played well, but he’s also been the type of leader the Raiders have needed in their secondary for years.
If Hayward can continue to play at this level for the final 11 games of the season, look for him to be named to the third Pro Bowl of his career.
