Dave Birkett

Detroit Free Press

PHOENIX -- Part of Reggie McKenzie wanted D.J. Hayden back with the Oakland Raiders, and if the money had been different it might have happened.

But McKenzie also knew that, for Hayden to reach his potential as a cornerback, he had to say good-bye to the team that made him the 12th pick of the 2013 draft.

The Lions signed Hayden to a one-year deal last month.

"I think he probably made a good decision by getting away from Oakland," McKenzie told the Free Press at the NFL owners meetings last week. "Fresh start."

Hayden played in 45 of a possible 64 games with the Raiders over four seasons and had just three interceptions. He was a part-time starter who had success playing out of the nickel position last year, but he dealt with a slew of injuries that stalled his career.

McKenzie made Hayden his first ever first-round draft pick — the Raiders didn't have a first-rounder in McKenzie's first season as GM in 2012. He said he fell in love with Hayden as a college player for two reasons:

"As a cornerback from athletic standpoint, he moves as easy as anybody," McKenzie said. "His feet, his explosion, quickness. He’s real. So that was encouraging. And the type of worker he was. You know he’s going to bust his butt."

Related:

New Lions CB Hayden out to reach 'max potential' after injury issues

But McKenzie said injuries "killed (Hayden's) confidence" in Oakland, and that held him back on the field.

"All he lacked, and it’s hard coming from a near-death situation and being thrown right in and had a couple relapses because of the illness, but he was always playing behind the 8-ball from a physical standpoint," McKenzie said. "So if he gets that behind him, his confidence will grow. And that’s what he needed. Confidence. He never, I think in his whole time in Oakland, the confidence for him to really thrive was not where it needed to be."

The Lions are counting on Hayden as one of their top three cornerbacks this fall, most likely covering slot receivers alongside starters Darius Slay and Nevin Lawson.

Lions general manager Bob Quinn said he was drawn to Hayden because of his ability to play both inside and out. And McKenzie said he believes Hayden can regain his confidence in Detroit.

"I think from the neck up, from him just knowing, 'I’m going to be confident, I'm going to be able to take this away,' it’s just him just gaining that confidence," McKenzie said. "I think Detroit, if they do it right, they’re going to get the best out of him."

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