The Oakland Raiders Draft Class of 2014 brought many contributors and franchise building blocks such as linebacker Khalil Mack, quarterback Derek Carr, and offensive linemen Gabe Jackson. It was arguably, one of the most successful draft classes in recent history. But the class of 2013? Not so much. Four years is enough time to grade a class and check where its players are, with the short answer being “not with the Raiders anymore.”
D.J. Hayden, CB, First RoundÂ
He was Reggie’s McKenzie’s “first” first round pick as he didn’t have one the previous year. McKenzie would have picked him with the third overall pick, had the Dolphins not swapped the third for the 12th overall pick and an extra second rounder. At the end, it still didn’t pan out as Hayden was inefficient, injured, or both. The team decided not to exercise his fifth year option and he ended up signing a prove-it one-year deal with the Detroit Lions this off-season.
Menelik Watson, LT, Second Round
A project with a big upside and physical tools to match, he didn’t have the one asset that took advantage of the others: availability. He had difficulties staying healthy and struggled to polish his blocking skills when healthy enough to contribute. Earlier this year, he signed a 3 year contract worth $18 million with the Denver Broncos.
Tyler Wilson, QB, Third Round
He was never able to match his production at Arkansas, as he averaged a 63.3 completion percentage during his four years at Arkansas. In the same manner, he threw 3,500 yards in average in his last two years there. However, he couldn’t beat Matt McGloin to be the third-string quarterback. Even now, McGloin is playing for the Eagles as the main back-up for Carson Wentz. Meanwhile, Wilson has never played a significant down in his NFL career and has been unemployed.
Mychal Rivera, TE, 6th RoundÂ
He catched 58 for 534 yards back on 2014. It was a sign of things to come… until the Raiders drafted Clive Walford in 2015. Rivera’s production has dipped every year since then, catching 32 passes in 2015 and 18 in 2016. He signed a two-year contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars earlier this year, effectively making him the last remain member of the Raiders 2013 draft class.
Nick Kasa, TE, 6th RoundÂ
He always had the physical tools, he just never really used them, as he catched one more pass than you and I together in his entire career. He was released before the start of the season in 2015 and spent the season as a free-agent before being signed by the Denver Broncos on his way to earning one more Super Bowl ring than the rest of us even though he didn’t play.
Latavius Murray, RB, 6th Round
A fan favorite during his tenure, he was solid but not spectacular when he played. Although he had a 4.0 YPC when he ran the ball, he was doing so behind arguably the best offensive line in football. He signed a three-year contract, worth $15 million with a $3.4 million guaranteed, with the Vikings, as they needed a replacement for Adrian Peterson without having to pay the actual Peterson a hefty amount of money.
Stacy McGee, DE, 6th Round Â
After some off-field concerns, McGee was able to stay out of trouble during his tenure with the Raiders. More importantly (in a football context), he was a solid rotational player. Ranked 15 in the Bleacher Report NFL 1000: Free-Agency Rankings for the 2017 DT Market, he provided depth before signing a 5-year deal with the Washington Redskins where he will be ask to be to replace Chris Baker.
Bryce Butler, WR, 7th Round
Speed can only take you far, and in Butler’s case, to the seventh round. After running a 4.36 in the 40-yard dash in his pro day, he ended up catching 30 passes in his first two years before being traded to the Dallas Cowboys via Ian Rapport. He re-signed with them this off-season, making him more successful than some of the higher picks on this list and many seven rounders.
The 2013 class doesn’t look too good in hindsight and fans could criticize the moves the Raiders front office did at that time. However, they could also see it as sign of a franchise that was about to turn things around and eventually did.
All numbers provided by Pro football Focus unless stated otherwise.
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