Oakland Raiders: Top 20 Draft Picks In Franchise History
By Erik Lambert
#5: Charles Woodson (4th overall, 1998)
The tragic part of Charles Woodson ranking #5 is that he would’ve been even higher had he not spent a good portion of his future Hall of Fame career with the Green Bay Packers. It’s not a shock that the Raiders took him so high during the 1998 draft. He was the only defensive player to ever win the Heisman trophy and the poster child for what Al Davis always demanded in his defensive backs. The ability to lock down a receiver in man-to-man press coverage.
Yet the value of Woodson went far beyond that. He was also a gifted blitzer with 20 career sacks, showing the speed and timing to often crack a quarterback before they’d starting their throwing motion, causing a fumble (yes, Mr. Brady, it was a fumble). Forcing turnovers was his greatest legacy, posting 65 interceptions and 28 forced fumbles, and a big reason the Oakland defense began to fall apart after he left. The fact that he made a seamless switch to safety upon return and finished with his ninth Pro Bowl was proof his place in Raider lore is secure.
Next: #4