Oakland Raiders NFL Draft History, Fan Poll: Who Would you Take?
The Oakland Raiders franchise has been stuck in a rut for several years. They’ve missed the playoffs 12 straight years, and haven’t won a Super Bowl in 32 years. They’ve become, in all honesty, the laughing stock of the NFL. Every move they make seems to somehow back fire on them. Let’s look at Oakland’s draft picks since losing Super Bowl 37.
Drafts of Raiders Past
Dec 27, 2013; Alameda, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders former cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha announces his retirement at press conference at Oakland Raiders Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
2003 – With the 31st Pick, they selected Nnamdi Asomugha, a cornerback out of California. Asomugha became one of the more feared cornerbacks in the league, but left Oakland for Philadelphia in 2011 as part of the “dream team”. Asomugha retired in 2013 after signing a one day contract with the team.
2004 – With the 2nd overall pick, the Raiders selected Robert Gallery, an offensive tackle out of Iowa. Gallery left the team after the 2010 season, after giving up 17 sacks in his first three seasons. Gallery hasn’t played since 2011.
2005 – Traded 7th overall pick to Minnesota. With the 23rd pick, they took Fabian Washington, a cornerback from Nebraska. Washington left the team in 2007 and hasn’t played in the NFL since 2010. You know who was taken one pick after Washington? A kid from Cal named Aaron Rodgers.
2006 – Took Safety Michael Huff with 7th overall, one pick ahead of Donte Whitner. Huff left the team in 2012 and only played one season after that.
2007 – The infamous JaMarcus Russell draft. We all know his story, so I won’t even go there.
2008 – Selected Darren McFadden with 4th overall. A good player, but has missed 29 games over his eight year career. McFadden signed a free agent contract with the Dallas Cowboys this past offseason.
2009 – Took Darrius Heyward-Bey with 7th overall pick. He has 12 career touchdowns and left team in 2012. He’s currently with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
2010 – Selected Rolando McClain 8th overall, left team in 2012 and is a free agent facing a drug suspension.
Nov 16, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders fans during the third quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
2011 – Traded the 17th overall pick to NE for Richard Seymour in 2009. Seymour hasn’t played since 2012 and didn’t report to the team until September 12th.
2012 – Traded 17th overall and a 2013 2nd for Carson Palmer. Palmer played two seasons in Oakland, throwing 35 touchdowns and 30 interceptions. In that draft they also traded their second round pick (48) to Patriots and didn’t select a player until a third round compensation pick.
Drafts of Raiders Present
2013 – Traded down from 3 to 12 with the Miami Dolphins. They took cornerback DJ Hayden. Hayden has missed 12 games in his two-year career and only started in ten games. He has two interceptions in those minimal games played.
2014 – Khalil Mack was taken with the 5th Overall pick. Mack played well in his rookie season, accumulating 76 combined tackles and four sacks in all 16 games.
Drafts of Raiders Future
There’s certainly been brighter days in Oakland. The fans have gone from watching John Madden lift Super Bowl trophies to only seeing them in his video game. But this year’s draft gives (another) new coach the opportunity to rebuild the Oakland Raiders to the glory days of Super Bowls past.
They have many options this season. Do they take a dynamic playmaker such as Amari Cooper or Kevin White? Should they take advantage of a dynamic pass rushing option such as Vic Beasley or Randy Gregory? Let your voice be heard below in our Raiders Nation “Who Would You Take” poll.