We continue to take a stroll down memory lane to the Las Vegas Raiders’ drafts of the previous decade.
Up next, the Ramble looks back at the fifth round as we now find ourselves one step closer to the middle rounds. As you might’ve read in our post covering the sixth round, the Raiders landed themselves some gems. This was especially true during the Reggie McKenzie regime, which had plenty of late-round steals.
Interestingly enough, the best fifth-round choice for the Raiders came arguably in Mike Mayock’s first year as general manager. However, you could argue that Jon Gruden’s first fifth-round choice in his second coaching stint has stood out the most.
Anyhow, let’s take a look at the Raiders’ haul from the previous decade in the fifth round of the player’s selection meeting, yes?
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Here are the Raiders’ fifth-round draft hauls
2019: Hunter Renfrow
2018: Maurice Hurst Jr., Johnny Townsend
2017: Marquel Lee
2016: DeAndre Washington
2015: Neiron Ball
2014: None
2013: None
2012: Jack Crawford, Juron Criner
2011: Denarius Moore
2010: Walter McFadden
The obvious thing to point out is that the quality of players will increase as we inch closer to the first round. The only exception would be the famed 2013 class which featured three starters, one of them a Pro Bowler, come from the sixth round. Nevertheless, Raider Nation will surely recognize some players that had promising moments but never quite lived up to their billing.
For instance, Denarius Moore was a starting wide receiver for the Raiders from 2011 to 2014, which was great value for the fifth round. In 2012, Moore hauled in 51 receptions, totaling 741 yards and scoring seven touchdowns. Unfortunately, he played during some of the worst stretches in Raiders football. One can only imagine what he could have accomplished had Derek Carr been under center, right?
So who was the best pick for the Raiders?
DeAndre Washington was a solid contributor and formed part of a running back trio that helped lead the squad back to the playoffs. Maurice Hurst, one of 2018’s fifth-round picks, has shown flashes of brilliance. Unfortunately, it’s plausible he will never live up to expectations for a myriad of reasons, including health and physical limitations.
Then, we have the man known as ‘Third and Renshow,’ the former Clemson Tiger, wide receiver Hunter Renfrow. In just two seasons, Renfrow has become one of the most reliable pass catchers on the roster. Carr has targeted him 148 times, meanwhile he’s hauled in 105 of those targets. The nickname wasn’t given out of coincidence, ’83’ continuously moves the chains and has totaled 62 first down catches.
In the end, the numbers don’t lie in football but we have to keep in mind each of these players came into different situations. The Raiders were marred by coaching carousels during that decade and two different general managers.
What are your thoughts, Raider Nation? Will Renfrow go down as the best of the bunch ten years from now?
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*Top Photo: Dustin Bradford/Getty Images