The 2007 NFL Draft saw the Raiders select some young playmakers that will be valuable additions to the team both now and in the future. The team selected a much-needed franchise quarterback in JaMarcus Russell first overall.
The Raiders chose Russell over former Notre Dame QB Brady Quinn. JaMarcus’ size and strength made him tough to sack, and he was 25-4 as a starter at LSU.
Both players are still works in progress, and time will tell if this was the correct decision. Russell’s upside, strong arm and diligent work all offseason, have convinced me that it was.
This will essentially be JaMarcus Russell’s rookie season in terms of being given the keys to the offense.
He has made significant strides as a passer. His accuracy, confidence, and decision making have greatly improved. The key is for him to manage the offense and not lose games.
He has grown into the role of team leader and has the respect and confidence of his teammates.
We’ll see a conservative approach and a lot of check downs while he learns the ropes of being a pro QB. This is a solid plan, but if the opportunity presents itself, the Raiders will go deep.
The selection of TE Zach Miller in the second round was a solid move at another needed position. He displayed a lot of talent last season and set the Raiders' rookie receiving mark with 44 receptions.
He has a knack for finding open spaces in the defense. Coach Kiffin said that if he didn’t have to stay in to block, he would’ve had over 60 receptions.
It is customary to wait three years before a judging how good or bad a draft was.
I have to make an exception in this case because someone dropped the ball in the third round. The blame can be placed on the scouts, the front office, or on Al Davis’ doorstep.
The third round is what the squad is in the process of overcoming. The team drafted three players that have yet to pan out: DE Quentin Moses, OT Mario Henderson, and WR Johnnie Lee Higgins.
10 comments Last one added 11 months ago — Leave a Comment
Raider Card Addict 11 months ago
Right now from the Draft in 2007, the best talent to emerge has been Miller. Russell, we didn't see enough of to make it justifiable, and O'Neal does a good job in a pinch.
Richardson is making a name for himself, playing for his job, and Bush wants in on this new package....If everything pans out well, It could be looked at as the line in the sand, where we simply said, from here, the future starts now.
Oh, and last item of fun, Moses left us, and went to the Cards....how bad do you have to be, for the Cards to dump you? I know in the Dolphins, he had a little bright spot, but nothing to write home about....after all, one win that year....ick.
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Jeff Little 11 months ago
Thanks for the comments and compliments, Raider Card. I think the draft was successful but two of those picks were reaches that haven't panned out. Two of the three have a final chance to impress and they need to step it up now.
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Umer Waris 11 months ago
Great Read, Jeff!
Yeah the third round selections arent panning out to be what they were hoped to become. I did believe that Henderson would take out Green at RT from the play he showed in the season but his training camp performance doesnt seem to be at the the mark yet. Richardson is great at stopping the run and seems to be a good fit for us.
Disregarding the third round, Oakland had a hell of a draft. Miller, Bush and Oneal are monsters and just waiting to take the NFL by storm.
For some reason I have high hopes out of Trevor Scott but I havenyt heard much news out his production. Have u? Like Oneal, I have been wondering that he could be a late round steal (P.S Colt Brennen was awesome during that Hall of Fame game).
Awsome article again dude!
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Jeff Little 11 months ago
Thanks for the comments and compliments, Umer. The 2007 draft was successful but if the squad would've gotten hits on these three picks it could've put the team in a better position. As an example OT Ryan Harris or G Josh Beekman instead of Mario Henderson. WR Jacoby Jones or James Jones instead of Johnnie Lee Higgins. DT Derek Landri and DT Jay Alford were left on the board as well. I don't have a serious problem with the guys selected I just feel that some of these guys would've been better fits.
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Adam Radochonski 11 months ago
I think you need to give it another 2 years. You cannot expect every rookie to come in and just contribute right away, although I do see your reason as to why you think they should have. Wait out another 2 years to see if these guys can pan out. Don't start bashing them 1 season in, especially for Higgins, because it takes WRs time to develop. Good article, though.
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Jeff Little 11 months ago
Thanks for the comments and compliments, Adam. I'm happy that you see my reasoning. Keep in mind that I'm not ready to get rid of the guys or consider them to be busts. In my book they're guys that were both reaches meaning they could've been had later in the draft.
The squad gave up a 3rd round pick in 2008 for Henderson. Take a look at my response to Umer and the list of guys that were available. I agree with you that it takes time to develop but coaches don't really have the wait for all of their players to develop.
The goal is that your players selected in rounds 1-3 develop within the first two years. WR Higgins for example has shown flashes but his biggest contribution will come on special teams as a punt returner, it is his job to lose.
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Greg Peterson 11 months ago
Good article Jeff and a point well taken. If Mario Henderson flames out that selection is even more damaging for the Raiders because of the trade made with the Patriots to acquire that pick. I tracked the course of that trade and the picks and its pretty interesting what we gave up. I'll post that in another article in the next hour.
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Jeff Little 11 months ago
Thanks for the comments and compliments, Greg. I look forward to reading the article.
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SNOOPY Dawg 11 months ago
I really hated seeing Moses go but here is a good example of trusting the coaches. When the Card's picked him up I thought he would excel there and pretty much lost track of him.
Then recently I found out he linked with the Fins but really... The fact Arizona cut him speaks volumes of the guy and of our coaches who saw in him either an unmotivated attitude or as needing too much time to develop into the NFL player he can be.
He's probably one of those dudes who rely only on is talent. Those guys usually last little and/or get hurt too much. They rarely last long.... The ones with super-talent get by by dogging it like Charles Woodsen or Mossy.
However, this type of player usually wind up getting hurt all the time, like our now dearly departed and on the NE Lame-Ont Jordan. What a piece of work he was.
Bravo to us and for Moses, maybe one day he'll get it... I'm glad we won't have to be the guys waiting for him to grow into that great player that rarely happens.
Nice work bro, I enjoyed reading your article!
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Jeff Little 11 months ago
Thanks for the comments and the compliments, Snoopy. It's funny coming out of Georgia several teams were looking at the two bookend DE's Quentin Moses & Charles Johnson. Charles Johnson was considered a 1st round pick and Moses a 2nd day pick. Both were selected in the 3rd round, Moses had a great junior season and couldn't deal with the double-teams as teams paid more attention to him in his senior season. Mario Henderson was projected as a day 2 draft pick.
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