Las Vegas Sun

March 19, 2024

Raiders on a roll when it comes to the NFL draft

Mack and Carr

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack (52) and quarterback Derek Carr (4) before a game against the Colts in Oakland, Calif., Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016.

The NFL draft has been very good to the Oakland Raiders since Reggie McKenzie took over as general manager in 2012. In five drafts under McKenzie’s direction, the Raiders have added multiple Pro Bowlers at key positions, and the talent infusion has transformed the team from a longtime doormat to one of the league’s most exciting up-and-coming squads.

When the 2017 draft kicks off on Thursday, McKenzie will try to keep the pipeline flowing, starting with his first-round pick at No. 24 overall (barring trades). And given his track record, the players selected this year could very well form the nucleus of the Raiders three years from now when the team relocates to Las Vegas.

A look at how the Raiders have built through the draft under McKenzie:

2012

1st round pick: None

Best pick: Marquette King, P, undrafted

Big picture: The Raiders were without a first-round pick due to the previous regime's panicky Carson Palmer trade, and they gave up their second rounder as part of a 2011 draft-day trade with the New England Patriots. Working without a full complement of picks, McKenzie failed to bring in any difference-makers in his first draft. Third-round selection Tony Bergstrom, an offensive lineman, didn't last long in Oakland and was cut by the Houston Texans earlier this month. McKenzie's best move was signing King as an undrafted free agent; last offseason, the Raiders inked King to a contract extension worth $12.5 million guaranteed.

2013

1st round pick: D.J. Hayden, CB, No. 12 overall

Best pick: Latavius Murray, RB, 6th round (No. 181 overall)

Big picture: McKenzie’s second draft saw him trade down from No. 3 overall to take Hayden, and that didn’t work out so well — Hayden had just three interceptions in four years and the Raiders let him leave as a free agent after last season. McKenzie had better luck in the late rounds, plucking Murray with the 181st selection. Murray rushed for 2,278 yards and 20 touchdowns in four seasons, though he also left this offseason, signing a free-agent deal with the Minnesota Vikings.

2014

1st round pick: Khalil Mack, DE, No. 5 overall

Best pick: Derek Carr, QB, 2nd round (No. 36 overall)

Big picture: This is the draft that revived the entire franchise. McKenzie nailed his first-round pick, adding a future Defensive Player of the Year in Mack, and he struck gold in the second round with an MVP-caliber quarterback in Carr. Then he selected Gabe Jackson, one of the league’s best guards, in the third round. Rebuilding teams can go years (or decades) without adding so much talent, and the Raiders managed to do it in one draft.

2015

1st round pick: Amari Cooper, WR, No. 4 overall

Best pick: Cooper

Big picture: After drafting a franchise QB in 2014, McKenzie was set on pairing him with an elite receiver from the 2015 draft. Now Cooper and Carr form the heart of the Raiders’ explosive passing attack, as Cooper has racked up 2,223 yards and 11 touchdowns in two seasons. McKenzie also grabbed promising defensive end Mario Edwards in the second round.

2016

1st round pick: Karl Joseph, S, No. 14 overall

Big picture: It’s too early to judge this draft, but Joseph looks like he’ll be an impact player in the defensive secondary (60 tackles, one interception). Fifth-rounder DeAndre Washington ran for 467 yards (5.4 per carry) as a rookie, and seventh-round guard Vadal Alexander earned a rotational spot as a backup on the offensive line.

Mike Grimala can be reached at 702-948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Mike on Twitter at twitter.com/mikegrimala.

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