Oakland Raiders Draft Mistakes
Today, I decided to look at some past drafts and see how many disasters there has been. Our most recent drafts aren't listed because it generally takes three years to really analyze the impact of a draft. Let's take a look back all the way to 1995, excluding 2004-2006.
2003
The first round of the 2003 NFL draft saw us take Nnamdi Asomugha and Tyler Brayton. Asomugha has developled into a solid starting cornerback but Brayton has been playing out of position for most of his short NFL career. It is still too early to call him a bust though, so after moving back to his defensive end position, we'll have a better understanding of his talent and better be able to gauge if he is worthy of his first round pick.
2002
In 2002, Phillip Buchanon was selected with the 17th overall pick. Buchanon flashed potential but was beat in coverage too often. He was shipped off to the Texans where he continues his spotty play. Buchanon was definitely a player who didn't live up to his draft status. Napoleon Harris was also selected in the first round in 2002. He was the 23rd overall pick. Harris played solidly but he also never lived up to his first round draft status. He is currently a Minnesota Viking. The shining gem of this draft was WR Ronald Curry in the 7th round.
2001
The 2001 draft saw us take SS Derrick Gibson with the 28th overall pick. Gibson is one of the more notable busts the Raiders have had in recent years. He is still with the team but Michael Huff will be taking his starting role this season.
2000
The 2000 draft saw us take K Sebastion Janiskowski with our first pick, WR Jerry Porter with the second and P Shane Lechler in the fifth round. Lechler and Porter have had decent careers thus far but Janikowski has been inconsistent. He has a powerful leg but his accuracy comes and goes. He isn't a bust, but needs to improve. Porter has played solidly but still hasn't acheived his potential.
1999
In the 1999 draft, OG Matt Stinchcomb was selected with the 18th overall pick. He never played like a first rounder and is a bust. He is no longer a Raider.
1998
The 1998 draft was a solid draft with players like Charles Woodson, Mo Collins and Jon Ritchie. None of these players are with the team but they were at least somewhat productive when they were. Ritchie recently retired after playing a couple season in Philadelphia.
1997
Darrell Russell was the 2nd overall pick in the '97 draft. He had a couple good seasons but his career and life were cut short with off field issues. Our third round pick, Adam Treu, has played solidly in backup situations and filled in as a starter when needed.
1996
Ricky Dudley was out 1996 first round flop. But DE Lance Johnstone, who is making his return to the silver and black, was a solid number two selection. Also, NT La'Roi Glover, 5th round, has had a solid NFL career with other teams.
1995
In 1995, we drafted the speedster Napoleon Kaufman in the first round. Kaufman was an electrifying runner. Our second round choice, Barret Robbins, played great for a number of season but is known for his Super Bowl disappearance and his off the field troubles.
Looking Back
We've had some pretty big flops. The overall success of our drafts seems to come in rounds other than the first. Let's hope Michael Huff can put an end to our first round troubles with a solid season this year. The other recent first rounders Robert Gallery and Fabian Washington have shown some promise and shouldn't end up on a flop list someday.
2003
The first round of the 2003 NFL draft saw us take Nnamdi Asomugha and Tyler Brayton. Asomugha has developled into a solid starting cornerback but Brayton has been playing out of position for most of his short NFL career. It is still too early to call him a bust though, so after moving back to his defensive end position, we'll have a better understanding of his talent and better be able to gauge if he is worthy of his first round pick.
2002
In 2002, Phillip Buchanon was selected with the 17th overall pick. Buchanon flashed potential but was beat in coverage too often. He was shipped off to the Texans where he continues his spotty play. Buchanon was definitely a player who didn't live up to his draft status. Napoleon Harris was also selected in the first round in 2002. He was the 23rd overall pick. Harris played solidly but he also never lived up to his first round draft status. He is currently a Minnesota Viking. The shining gem of this draft was WR Ronald Curry in the 7th round.
2001
The 2001 draft saw us take SS Derrick Gibson with the 28th overall pick. Gibson is one of the more notable busts the Raiders have had in recent years. He is still with the team but Michael Huff will be taking his starting role this season.
2000
The 2000 draft saw us take K Sebastion Janiskowski with our first pick, WR Jerry Porter with the second and P Shane Lechler in the fifth round. Lechler and Porter have had decent careers thus far but Janikowski has been inconsistent. He has a powerful leg but his accuracy comes and goes. He isn't a bust, but needs to improve. Porter has played solidly but still hasn't acheived his potential.
1999
In the 1999 draft, OG Matt Stinchcomb was selected with the 18th overall pick. He never played like a first rounder and is a bust. He is no longer a Raider.
1998
The 1998 draft was a solid draft with players like Charles Woodson, Mo Collins and Jon Ritchie. None of these players are with the team but they were at least somewhat productive when they were. Ritchie recently retired after playing a couple season in Philadelphia.
1997
Darrell Russell was the 2nd overall pick in the '97 draft. He had a couple good seasons but his career and life were cut short with off field issues. Our third round pick, Adam Treu, has played solidly in backup situations and filled in as a starter when needed.
1996
Ricky Dudley was out 1996 first round flop. But DE Lance Johnstone, who is making his return to the silver and black, was a solid number two selection. Also, NT La'Roi Glover, 5th round, has had a solid NFL career with other teams.
1995
In 1995, we drafted the speedster Napoleon Kaufman in the first round. Kaufman was an electrifying runner. Our second round choice, Barret Robbins, played great for a number of season but is known for his Super Bowl disappearance and his off the field troubles.
Looking Back
We've had some pretty big flops. The overall success of our drafts seems to come in rounds other than the first. Let's hope Michael Huff can put an end to our first round troubles with a solid season this year. The other recent first rounders Robert Gallery and Fabian Washington have shown some promise and shouldn't end up on a flop list someday.
posted by The Analyzer at 7:38 AM
6 Comments:
I can't say we're perfect, but whenever I read how bad our drafts have been I see "the Raiders passed up player X, Y, Z, etc" (not in this post, but in general). My problem with this is that for the most part these guys have all been late 1st round picks. Sure, you'd expect better, but I always counter that it could have been worse. For example, Buchanon and Harris haven't proven to be worth their draft status, but neither have guys like Joey Harrington, Mike Williams (top 5 picks) or Ryan Sims (top 10 pick). Gibson was the 28th pick, but Gerard Warren was a top 5 and David Terrell and Koren Robinson were top 10 selections.
I think the bigger problem is we hang on to these guys too long. We've started doing the right thing by getting rid of Buchanon and Harris when they didn't pan out. Hopefully they do the same with Gibson this year.
I think AL has really committed to rebuilding this franchise with youth for the first time in a long time.
I like our last 4 drafts especially on the defensive side of the ball.
2003
N. Asomougha (starting CB)
T. Brayton (will ontribute at DE)
S. Williams (chance to start at SLB)
J. Fargas (could be break out yr)
D. Gabriel (solid 3rd receiver
2004
R. Gallery (should shine at LT)
J. Grove (our next center for 10 yrs.)
S. Schweigert (starting FS)
C. Anderson (starting TE)
2005
F. Washington (staring CB)
S. Routt (nickel CB)
A. Walter (future franchise QB)
K. Morrison (our best LB)
A. Hawthorne (developmental DT with big upside)
2006
M. Huff (impact SS)
T. Howard (should compete for LB)
P. McQuistan (potential starting ROG)
D. Bing (developmental LB, big nickel SS; special teams ace)
By my count, we have built our entire secondary, 2/3 of our LB corps, and added 2 potential defensive lineman. We have also added our starting TE, LT, C, 3rd reciever, back up RB. Finally, I would not be the least suprised if McNasty takes over the RG spot over Badger by mid-season.
Our last 4 drafts could be characterized as solid but unspectacular. We shall see...
I think the last four were pretty decent too. Routt is the only real reach.
Routt is an effective nickel DB especially covering the slot receiver.
It is time for some of these young guns to start making an impact. Here is my wish list for the 2004 draftees:
Asomougha - Needs to be more aggressive, use his strength & size, get a few picks
Brayton - Needs a go to move to get to the QB & play effective against the run
S. Williams - needs to stay healthy
Fargas - become a consistent, reliable, change of pace back up
Gabriel - just needs more snaps & playing time; it is my hope that the 3 WR set is a staple of the O
Check that...I meant 2003 draftees.
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