Do a Better Job at Drafting, Oakland Raiders! Looking at 29 Years

In the earlier years of Oakland Raiders history, far more young men were drafted. This article contains a discussion of data over a 29-year period. Also, a focus on the last 10 years is presented. Just consider this a preview for the 75th NFL Draft. What will Al Davis do?

One observation is that the Raiders are drafting fewer young players than they did in the past. Here is a portion of the data from 2000 to 2009. Let's just say, we are looking at the 21st century data. 

2009	7
2008	5
2007	11
2006	7
2005	7
2004	8
2003	10
2002	8
2001	7
2000	7
	7.7	avg last ten years
	11	max
	5	min

Here are some observations in our "peek-a-boo" analysis.

1. The maximum number of young players drafted in the 21st century (in 2007) is 11.

2. The minimum number of young players drafted during this time period (in 2008) is five.

3. The average number of young players drafted from 2000 to 2009 is 7.7.

Now, let's look back over a 29-year period:

Year	Number Drafted
2009	7
	5
	11
	7
	7
	8
	10
	8
	7
	7
	9
	6
	7
	7
	6
	6
	8
	9
	11
	6
	13
	11
	12
	16
	8
	10
	10
	9
	10
	8.655172
	8.655172	avg
	16	max
	5	min

Observations

1. The maximum number of players drafted over a 29-year period, spanning 1980 to 2009, is 16.

2. The minimum number of players drafted over that same period is five.

3. The average number of players drafted over that same period is 8.65.

As you can see, the Oakland Raiders have tended to draft fewer players in the last 10 years.

Now, to highlight some of the outstanding players over the 29-year period, and to focus on those in the list of draftees, we discover the following:

1. Tim Brown stands out in being a top draft pick and also having outstanding performance on the football field.

2. Texas and Louisiana have a large share of draft picks by the Oakland Raiders in the target group, from 1980 to 2009. Thirty players were from Texas and Louisiana. Is that saying something about Texas and Louisiana and the ability to produce guys who are drafted into the NFL?

3. Albert White seems to be the last player who attended Texas Southern University, and who was also drafted by the Oakland Raiders in 1992.

4. In 1980 Calvin Muhammad of Texas Southern University was drafted by the Oakland Raiders.

Now, Texas Southern University (TSU) is dumped into this study because I am teaching several of the young TSU football players (a running back and a wide receiver) and showing them a little of the history.

Now as the data was perused, it was observed that the terms "first selection," "second selection," and "redshirt" are not used in the more recent years.

I don't want to jump to any conclusions during this "peek-a-boo" study of the Oakland Raiders draft history. One thing seems clear, but will certainly be clearer once more research is done. Not many of the draft choices made by the Oakland Raiders have become Hall of Famers.

A few more observations, although I admit many more can be made.

Jerry Porter was a good draft choice, demonstrating that his potential matched his performance. He played with the Raiders for eight years.

Even more impressive is the career of Cliff Branch who was drafted by the Raiders in 1972, which is about 38 years ago. Branch was a very good draft choice. He helped the Oakland Raiders win three Super Bowl titles. That looks really good in this "peek-a-boo" study because Oakland has a total of three Vince Lombardi Super Bowl trophies.

Let's just say that it looks like Branch gave the Raider Nation what they were looking for—wins and championships.

So, it looks like Branch, Porter, and a few others have turned out to be worth their weight in real gold, while a few others are not proving themselves to be worth their weight in "fool's gold."

Do a better job at drafting, Oakland Raiders!