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Raiders updates: Mack back in the AFC West, Cory Littleton waived, and more

By Alexander Monfreda

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 10: Nathan Peterman #3 of the Las Vegas Raiders runs with the ball as Khalil Mack #52 of the Chicago Bears defends during the second half at Allegiant Stadium on October 10, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 10: Nathan Peterman #3 of the Las Vegas Raiders runs with the ball as Khalil Mack #52 of the Chicago Bears defends during the second half at Allegiant Stadium on October 10, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JANUARY 09: Cornerbacks Casey Hayward Jr. #29 and Brandon Facyson #35 of the Las Vegas Raiders celebrate as they run off the field after the team’s 35-32 overtime victory over the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium on January 9, 2022, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JANUARY 09: Cornerbacks Casey Hayward Jr. #29 and Brandon Facyson #35 of the Las Vegas Raiders celebrate as they run off the field after the team’s 35-32 overtime victory over the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium on January 9, 2022, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

What about Casey Hayward?

In what should come as no surprise, it was reported cornerback Casey Hayward is expected to follow the ’21 Raiders defensive coordinator Gus Bradley to his new home in Indianapolis.

Although this was expected, it’s still a hard truth to swallow. Last year, the Raiders’ CB1 played some of the best football of his career. Throughout the first half of the year, no cornerback in the NFL was graded higher than Hayward per Pro Football Focus.

There was a period last year where the veteran Casey Hayward allowed just one completion – A completion in which the corner tackled the receiver for a safety. This was the first time in the NFL record-book where a receiver who caught the ball in their own end-zone was brought down for safety.

Despite Hayward coming back to earth as the season went on, he was still able to make some of the most key defensive plays down the stretch. An example of this can be found in the final game of the regular season, where he picked off the young star Justin Herbert in the fourth quarter.

Replacing Hayward has to be near the top of the priority list, especially after Russell Wilson was traded into the division. As such, I fully anticipate Las Vegas going all-in on JC Jackson. Jackson has stated he wants to be the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL, and with all this cap space the Raiders have been freeing up, it seems most likely that their plan is to show JC the money.

Along with Hayward, it was also reported defensive-tackle Quinten Jefferson is likely to follow Bradley to Indy as well.

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