For the better part of the 2000’s until now the Raiders have failed to draft well especially in the first round.
The last two players the Raiders drafted with the number Seven overall pick were Safety Michael Huff and Wide Receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey.
Michael Huff played for the Oakland Raiders, Baltimore Ravens, and Denver Broncos. He was drafted by the Raiders with the seventh overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft out of the University of Texas.
Huff played for the Raiders from 2006-2010, starting 69 of 76 games and recording 5 interceptions and 4 sacks. He then played for the Ravens in 2011 before returning to the Raiders for the 2012 season. He finished his NFL career with the Broncos in 2013.
Huff was known for his versatility and ability to play multiple positions in the defensive backfield. He was also a solid tackler and had good ball skills. While he never quite lived up to his draft position, he had a respectable NFL career and was a productive player for several seasons.
Darrius Heyward-Bey played for the Oakland Raiders, Indianapolis Colts, and Pittsburgh Steelers. He was drafted by the Raiders with the seventh overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft out of the University of Maryland.
Heyward-Bey played for the Raiders from 2009-2012, starting 25 of 56 games and recording 140 receptions for 2,071 yards and 11 touchdowns. He then played for the Colts from 2013-2014 before finishing his NFL career with the Steelers in 2015.
Heyward-Bey was known for his speed and athleticism, but he struggled with drops and inconsistent production during his NFL career. While he never quite lived up to his draft position, he did have some productive seasons and was a valuable contributor on special teams.
With a new Regime in place it will be interesting to see if they change the stigma that is attached to the Raiders and their first round drafting woes.
