Raiders cornerback Hayden playing well as injury replacement

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Everything is coming up roses for the Raiders this season. They’re 7-2 heading into Monday night’s game in Mexico City, winning four games by a combined 11 points, and even cornerback DJ Hayden is making a contribution.

The 2013 first-round pick, and many fans were saying first-round bust, stepped in for injured starter Sean Smith the past two games, and Oakland didn’t miss a beat.

“I felt like DJ was improving toward the tail end of last season,” defensive backs coach Marcus Robertson said. “He’s picked up where he left off. DJ loves football, he works hard at it, and I think he’s made a commitment to himself to be the best he can be. He’s played extremely well in the nickel.”

That’s when he’s had to cover receivers inside in the slot, but he also showed against the Bucs that he can handle himself on the outside this year. The 5-foot-10, 190-pound Hayden has always had good feet, and he’s gotten better at adjusting when the ball is heading his way.

“It’s always been a technique thing,” Robertson said. “He’s got all the tools to do anything you want to ask him to do.”

Hayden has gotten comfortable in the defensive system and in understanding how quarterbacks attack defenses. Those two things weren’t necessarily expected, as the Raiders did decline to pick up his contract option before the season started. Hayden is a free agent next offseason.

Oakland Raiders cornerback DJ Hayden (25) in action against the Atlanta Falcons during an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Oakland, Calif. The Falcons won 35-28. (Daniel Gluskoter/AP Images for Panini) less Oakland Raiders cornerback DJ Hayden (25) in action against the Atlanta Falcons during an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Oakland, Calif. The Falcons won 35-28. (Daniel Gluskoter/AP Images for ... more Photo: Daniel Gluskoter, Associated Press Photo: Daniel Gluskoter, Associated Press Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Raiders cornerback Hayden playing well as injury replacement 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

“He’s put in the work,” Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio said. “There’s no shortcut to it. He’s gaining confidence in what he’s seeing. He’s got the ability, the quick feet. He’s a bright guy. He’s got all the movement you’re looking for at that position. I think he’s playing his best football since I’ve been around over the last two years for sure.”

Hayden missed offseason workouts and then only played eight games his rookie season due to a groin injury. He admits it then got frustrating at times as he struggled.

“It just took time to get comfortable and then to get my confidence back up,” he said. “It was time … I decided I was going to play well this year, and that was that.”

Assistant defensive backs coach Rod Woodson says when you consider the rough rookie year, this is really only Hayden’s third full season.

“I think that third full season is where you really start to see the turnaround in all players,” Woodson said. “It’s unfair that we want our rookies to play like vets. It’s hard … it’s hard in the National Football League.

“But DJ is playing good football. His skill set is unmatched, because he’s quick, fast, aggressive for his size — he is a willing tackler, wants to hit you — and he’s understanding the game. If he can keep avoiding the mental lapses, he is going to keep improving.”

Vic Tafur is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: vtafur@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @VicTafur

Monday night

Who: Texans vs. Raiders

Where: Mexico City

When: 5:30 p.m.

TV/Radio: ESPN/95.7 FM