Round 3 - OG Tony Bergstrom
Round 4 - OLB Miles Burris
Round 5 - DE Jack Crawford
- WR Juron Criner
Round 6 - DT Chris Bilukidi
Round 7 - OLB Nathan Stupar
Under new management, the Raiders will look to build through the draft in the future. This shift in philosophy differs greatly from the previous regime's which traded away high draft picks often and signed as many big name free agents as possible. As we all know, Al Davis targeted top end speed and athleticism in his players. New GM Reggie McKenzie had his hands tied with inflated contracts for underachieving players and precious few draft picks, especially at the top of the draft. With those draft picks that he did have he decided to focus on selecting players who can add depth this year and become solid starters in the future.
Tony Bergstrom doesn't show the burst or mobility to start at tackle or guard right away, but his quickness in short spaces makes him a potential starter at guard in a year or two. With excellent size but limitations in pass protection, his hard work and development with his technique could give them a versatile backup for a couple of years and possible starter down the line.
Next, they again went with a versatile player in Miles Burris. A blue collar player who shows flashes as a pass rusher and has a good motor in pursuit, Burris can play a variety of positions. Oakland's defense will show multiple fronts this year which can take advantage of Burris' talents. They'll want to limit his dropping into coverage, however. He also plays with intensity and was a team captain for his team. In addition, he plays on special teams. A player to watch, Burris can develop into something special.
Selecting Jack Crawford in the fifth round, the Raiders saw a big, athletic prospect who showed flashes at the end of his senior year. Nevertheless, his inconsistency and inexperience playing football will probably lead to limited playing time this year, despite their talk of giving him a major role. Crawford needs to add more pass rush moves to his arsenal to ever be seen as a threat in that area. He'll take a few years to develop.
In the past, Oakland drafted receivers based on their 40 time only. The drafting of Juron Criner marks a definite move away from that thinking. A tall but slower receiver, he gains separation with precise route running and excellent burst off the line and in his cuts. Although not overly physical he shows the ability to box defenders out and pluck the ball from the air. Criner also exhibits excellent body control and adjustment ability. Once he has the ball in his hands his hard-charging running style makes him tough to bring down for a defender. Although his lack of flash probably caused his draft stock to fall, he was a great pick for the Raiders in the fifth round.
Chris Bilukidi was a flier on a defensive lineman late in the draft. He shows some ability to rush the passer but has an inconsistent motor. He does possess some natural ability though and was a decent pick for them.
Brought in mostly to play on special teams and to provide depth at linebacker, Nathan Stupar is a hardworking player who you want in your locker room. While Stupar will probably never crack the starting lineup, most seventh round picks never do, instead they play on special teams and backup the starters.
Although we are grown accustomed to flashy or mind-boggling picks by Oakland, this year was quiet in comparison. They made smart picks with the draft selections they did have though. Burris, Crawford, and Criner all possess the ability to play at a high level. However, due to the lesser talent available in the later rounds, the Raiders didn't have many shots at drafting potential stars.
Under new management, the Raiders will look to build through the draft in the future. This shift in philosophy differs greatly from the previous regime's which traded away high draft picks often and signed as many big name free agents as possible. As we all know, Al Davis targeted top end speed and athleticism in his players. New GM Reggie McKenzie had his hands tied with inflated contracts for underachieving players and precious few draft picks, especially at the top of the draft. With those draft picks that he did have he decided to focus on selecting players who can add depth this year and become solid starters in the future.
Tony Bergstrom doesn't show the burst or mobility to start at tackle or guard right away, but his quickness in short spaces makes him a potential starter at guard in a year or two. With excellent size but limitations in pass protection, his hard work and development with his technique could give them a versatile backup for a couple of years and possible starter down the line.
Next, they again went with a versatile player in Miles Burris. A blue collar player who shows flashes as a pass rusher and has a good motor in pursuit, Burris can play a variety of positions. Oakland's defense will show multiple fronts this year which can take advantage of Burris' talents. They'll want to limit his dropping into coverage, however. He also plays with intensity and was a team captain for his team. In addition, he plays on special teams. A player to watch, Burris can develop into something special.
Selecting Jack Crawford in the fifth round, the Raiders saw a big, athletic prospect who showed flashes at the end of his senior year. Nevertheless, his inconsistency and inexperience playing football will probably lead to limited playing time this year, despite their talk of giving him a major role. Crawford needs to add more pass rush moves to his arsenal to ever be seen as a threat in that area. He'll take a few years to develop.
In the past, Oakland drafted receivers based on their 40 time only. The drafting of Juron Criner marks a definite move away from that thinking. A tall but slower receiver, he gains separation with precise route running and excellent burst off the line and in his cuts. Although not overly physical he shows the ability to box defenders out and pluck the ball from the air. Criner also exhibits excellent body control and adjustment ability. Once he has the ball in his hands his hard-charging running style makes him tough to bring down for a defender. Although his lack of flash probably caused his draft stock to fall, he was a great pick for the Raiders in the fifth round.
Chris Bilukidi was a flier on a defensive lineman late in the draft. He shows some ability to rush the passer but has an inconsistent motor. He does possess some natural ability though and was a decent pick for them.
Brought in mostly to play on special teams and to provide depth at linebacker, Nathan Stupar is a hardworking player who you want in your locker room. While Stupar will probably never crack the starting lineup, most seventh round picks never do, instead they play on special teams and backup the starters.
Although we are grown accustomed to flashy or mind-boggling picks by Oakland, this year was quiet in comparison. They made smart picks with the draft selections they did have though. Burris, Crawford, and Criner all possess the ability to play at a high level. However, due to the lesser talent available in the later rounds, the Raiders didn't have many shots at drafting potential stars.
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