We continue to take a stroll down memory lane with regards to the Las Vegas Raiders’ drafts of the previous decade.
In retrospect, the Raiders did fairly well in the second round this past decade. This isn’t to say that they didn’t have their fair share of misses, in fact, there were several of them. As far as the positives go, the Silver and Black landed a potential star cornerback and one of the most polarizing figures to ever put on their uniform.
With all that being said, let’s check out the Raiders’ haul from the previous second rounds of the NFL draft.
Here are the Raiders’ second-round draft hauls
2019: Trayvon Mullen
2018: P.J. Hall
2017: Obi Melifonwu
2016: Jihad Ward
2015: Mario Edwards
2014: Derek Carr
2013: Menelik Watson
2012: None
2011: Stefen Wisniewski
2010: Lamarr Houston
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What did the Raiders get right this past decade?
Let’s start with what the organization got right, the fact that the Raiders landed a starting quarterback in the second round’s impressive. The team had been in quarterback purgatory with so many signal-callers that came and went since injuries forced Rich Gannon to hang up his cleats. Say what you will about Derek Carr, but he’s one of the most efficient and accurate passers in the NFL. Unfortunately, the Raiders have had only one winning season since he was drafted, and having so many defensive busts during that same stretch have surely played a role in that.
Players such as Jihad Ward, Obi Melifonwu, and Mario Edwards Jr. didn’t quite live up to expectations. Missing on these picks came to define much of Reggie McKenzie’s reign as general manager. While he hit home runs on Carr and Khalil Mack, he reached on several players which eventually was his undoing. In fact, Ward’s only claim to fame among Raider Nation is his impressive ability to block fans on social media, especially Twitter. One can only imagine if he had the same ability in shedding blockers, perhaps, he would’ve accumulated more than one sack in two years.
The pick that we will all keep an eye on is Mullen. Since being drafted, Mullen has shown to be the only cornerback worth keeping. While there’s potential with Damon Arnette and Isaiah Johnson, Mullen could end up being the best of the bunch as far as said second-rounders besides Carr. On a side note, the Raiders did have a solid center in Wisniewski at one point. 2011’s second-round choice, Wisniewski would go onto be a part of two Super Bowl-winning squads, ouch.
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*Top Photo: Joe Mahoney/Associated Press