Once the first round finishes and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell surrenders the podium, the flash of the draft ends and the real work begins. The speculation and buzz regarding the draft centers around the opening round, but there are six more opportunities to improve a team once the glamor fades. Finding players who can start and fill roles beyond the first round is paramount to the rebuilding project that is the Oakland Raiders.
The last time the Raiders had a second round pick, which was 2007, they struck gold drafting tight end Zach Miller to be a reliable target for their first pick that year JaMarcus Russell. Miller led the Raiders in both receiving and receiving yardage in 2008 and has developed a chemistry with Russell, that should result in them scoring points in Silver and Black for years to come.
In 2007, the Raiders had three third round picks, Mario Henderson saw time starting at left tackle, and is going to be competing for that position again, Johnnie lee Higgins who led the Raiders in touchdowns in 08, and Quentin Moses who didn't make it out of his rookie training camp. The Raiders were without a third round pick in 2008.
The Raiders had two fourth round picks in 2008 safety Tyvon Branch who showed promise in coverage as a rookie before going down with a wrist injury and wide receiver Arman Shields who spent the year on injured reserve. In 2007 the Raiders opened the fourth round by grabbing running back Michael Bush who bulldozed the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the season closing win, and they also grabbed John Bowie with the pick acquired for Randy Moss. Bowie has not been a factor as a pro.
The Raiders were without a fifth round pick in 08. In 2007, the Raiders grabbed Jay Richardson and Eric Frampton in the fifth. Richardson has seen time as a starting defensive end, and whilst not an All-Pro at that position, he is a solid rotational player. Frampton did not make it out of his rookie training camp.
In the sixth round of 08, the Raiders drafted Trevor Scott out of Buffalo. His rookie year he tied for the team lead and the NFL rookie lead in sacks, and has shown flashes of becoming a very good pass rush specialist. The sixth round in 2007 was also productive with the Raiders landing fullback Oren O'Neal who proved to be a punishing blocker before missing his sophomore NFL year with an injury.
2008's seventh round saw the Oakland Raiders get a steal with Chaz Schilens. Schilens came on strong the last two games of the season once he overcame a knee injury and won the starting job. 2007 seventh round pick Jonathan Holland didn't fare so well and was cut before the 2008 season.
The last two years, the Raiders have been able to create a young nucleus of players to build around by making smart picks outside of round one. The early indications are that they struck gold in the sixth and seventh rounds in 2008, and had several solid picks in 07. If they continue that trend with the 09 draft, the Raiders will be well on their way back to greatness.
