Hayward inked a two-year, $11 million deal with Atlanta last offseason. He started six games to open the year before a shoulder injury ultimately ended his season. Hayward broke up three passes and notched one interception as a Falcon. After signing Mike Hughes and trading for Jeff Okudah, the Falcons didn't have the need to hang on to Hayward for the final year of his contract. The move saves them $5 million against the cap and comes with a $2 million dead cap charge. At 33 years old, Hayward may be stuck signing one-year deals for the rest of his career, but he should be able to find a home once rosters are settled after the draft.

He'll miss at least the next four weeks. Hayward had been a bit up-and-down over the first six weeks of the season, but was a solid complement to A.J. Terrell that the Falcons will have to call on depth to replace. Darren Hall, DeAundre Alford, and Mike Ford all saw snaps last week in Atlanta's victory. 

It's the first signing of free agency for the Falcons. This will be Hayward's 33-year-old season coming up, but he gives the Falcons a capable cover man to try and help shore up the secondary. Hayward is past his prime, but he's reliable, having missed just two games since 2013, and graded out as Pro Football Focus' No. 24 cover corner for Las Vegas last season.

The Raiders also got LB Cory Littleton, MLB Denzel Perryman, and DT Darius Philon back from the COVID list. Perryman remains questionable with an ankle issue. Hayward has started every game this year and the new COVID rules allowed him to return without an absence. He has five pass defenses and three TFLs on the season.