Oakland Raiders owner Mark Davis, right, stands with general manger Reggie McKenzie before an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

Don't forget Day 3

The Raiders have been widely ridiculed for their drafting over the past decade, and with good reason. The first round has delivered disasters and disappointments such as Russell, Gallery, linebacker Rolando McClain, wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey and cornerback Fabian Washington.

But look more closely, and you'll see plenty of good finds in the later rounds, where teams are considered fortunate if they can find someone who simply makes the roster. That was true in the last years of Al Davis, and has carried over to McKenzie's first two years.

The Raiders have been astute in finding late-round gems at wide receiver and tight end — Doug Gabriel (fifth round, 2003), Courtney Anderson (seventh round, 2004), Chaz Schilens (seventh round, 2008), Brandon Myers (sixth round, 2009), Denarius Moore (fifth round, 2011), Juron Criner (fifth round, 2012), Mychal Rivera (sixth round, 2013) and Brice Butler (seventh round, 2013).

Also netted in the low rounds were offensive lineman Kevin Boothe (sixth round, 2006), defensive end Trevor Scott (sixth round, 2008) and safety Stevie Brown (seventh round, 2010), all of whom have built solid NFL careers.So as ESPN and NFL Network would tell you: Watch this sucker till the end.

UPDATED: Please read and follow our commenting policy:
  • This is a family newspaper, please use a kind and respectful tone.
  • No profanity, hate speech or personal attacks. No off-topic remarks.
  • No disinformation about current events.
  • We will remove any comments — or commenters — that do not follow this commenting policy.