What If The Oakland Raiders Drafted A Different Team

Below are the abbreviations for the positional players:


QB = quarterback
RB = running back
FB = full back
WR = wide receiver
TE = tight end

C = center
OT = offensive tackle
OG = offensive guard

DT = defensive tackle
DE = defensive end

LB = line backer

CB = corner back
S = safety
SS = strong safety
FS = free safety

P = punter
PK = place kicker
KR = kick returner

The Raiders had the final two draft picks in the 2003 NFL Draft. They selected Nnamdi Asomugha (CB) and Tyler Brayton (DE). Asomugha was an absolute perfect pick as he is regarded as probably the best corner back in the entire NFL. Brayton, on the other hand, is not even close to being a superstar. A better pick here would have been Osi Umenyiora (DE), Anquan Boldin (WR), Ken Hamlin (S) or Rashean Mathis (CB).

Teyo Johnson (TE) was taken in round 2 and played only two years for the Raiders. Instead of this wasted draft pick, Oakland should have taken Jason Witten (TE) or Lance Briggs (LB).

In the 3rd round, the Raiders had two draft choices, which were used on Sam Williams (DE) and Justin Fargas (RB). Williams is mostly a role player, so a better pick here would have been Asante Samuel (CB) or Terrence McGee (CB). Fargas was a solid pick as he is now a starter (early in his career he was a bench player).

The Oakland Raiders picked Shurron Pierson (DE) in the 4th round. Pierson was another terrible pick since he only played in six games for Oakland. A better selection here would have been Robert Mathis (DE), Dan Koppen (C) or David Diehl (OT).

Doug Gabriel (WR) was drafted in round 5 and was mainly another bench player. A more valuable player like Cato June (LB) was still available. In the 6th round, Dustin Rykert (OT) was selected by Oakland. The Raiders wasted another pick on Rykert as he played in zero games for the team. Oakland should have drafted Tony Romo (QB). Antonio Gates (TE) and Kris Dielman (OG) along with Romo were undrafted free agents. All three of these Pro Bowl players could have signed with any NFL team that wanted them. The Raiders didn't sign either to a contract.


Summary Of Players The Oakland Raiders Should Have Acquired In 2003

Osi Umenyiora
Jason Witten
Terrence McGee
Robert Mathis
Cato June
Tony Romo
Antonio Gates
Kris Dielman

With the 2nd overall pick, the Raiders drafted Robert Gallery (OT). With such a high draft selection, you would figure to get a future Pro Bowl player, but Gallery is no such player. He is a starter, but you just expect more from a 2nd overall pick. Shawn Andrews (OT) was still on the draft board and he is a multiple-time Pro Bowler.

In round 2, the Raiders grabbed Jake Grove (C) and is just an average player. A better option here would have been Nick Hardwick (C) or Darnell Dockett (DT). Stuart Schweigert (FS) was taken in the 3rd round and had a couple of productive seasons, but bigger play makers like Chris Cooley (TE) or Matt Schaub (QB) were still available.

Round 4 brought Carlos Francis (WR) to Oakland. Francis was an absolute horrible pick because he played in only 5 games during his three year career with the Raiders. A much better selection here would have been Jerricho Cotchery (WR), Jared Allen (DE) or Nathan Vasher (CB). Johnnie Morant (WR) was drafted in round 5 and was not a big play maker. The Raiders should have picked Michael Turner (RB).

In the 6th round, Oakland selected Shawn Johnson (DE) and was cut before the regular season began. The Raiders should have used this draft pick on Derrick Ward (RB).


Summary Of Players The Oakland Raiders Should Have Acquired In 2004

Shawn Andrews
Nick Hardwick
Chris Cooley
Jerricho Cotchery
Michael Turner
Derrick Ward

1. Justin Fargas
2. Darren McFadden
3, JaMarcus Russell
4. Zach Miller
5. Sebastian Janikowski

Fabian Washington (CB) was drafted with the 23rd overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft. Washington never became an elite corner back that opposing offenses feared, so the Raiders wasted another high draft pick instead of selecting someone like Roddy White (WR) or Logan Mankins (OG).

The Oakland Raiders picked Stanford Routt (CB) in round 2 and again was another draft selection that should have been avoided (Routt is mainly a role player). The Raiders had a chance to draft All-Pros Lofa Tatupu (LB) or Frank Gore (RB).

Andrew Walter (QB) was taken in round 3 and never could prove to be an NFL star. Oakland would have been better off selecting Justin Tuck (DE), Marion Barber III (RB), Brandon Jacobs (RB) or Trent Cole (DE). With their second 3rd round draft pick, Oakland drafted Kirk Morrison (LB) and has had a solid career so far with the Raiders. Yes, the Raiders actually made a good draft pick.

Anttaj Hawthorne (DT) was brought to the Raiders in round 6 (Oakland had no 4th or 5th round picks). In two seasons, Hawthorne played in only 18 games for the Raiders. A better draft selection here would have been Ryan Grant (RB) or Josh Cribbs (KR). Both players went undrafted, so Oakland could have either drafted these guys or signed them as free agents - they did neither.


Summary Of Players The Oakland Raiders Should Have Acquired In 2005

Roddy White
Lofa Tatupu
Trent Cole
Ryan Grant
Josh Cribbs

In the 2006 NFL Draft, the Raiders selected Michael Huff (S) with the 7th overall pick. He has been a adequate player until the 2008 season when he got benched because of his lack of play-making ability. A better pick here for the Raiders would have been Antonio Cromartie (CB), DeMeco Ryans (LB) or Mathias Kiwanuka (DE).

Thomas Howard (LB) was taken in round 2. Howard has been a solid contributor to the defense, so he is a good draft pick by the Raiders. In the 3rd round, Oakland selected Paul McQuistan (OG) and he is mostly a bench player. The Raiders could have gotten more value out of a player like Owen Daniels (TE).

The Oakland Raiders drafted Darnell Bing (S) in round 4. Bing never played game for Oakland. Instead of this wasted draft pick, the Raiders should have taken Brandon Marshall (WR) or Omar Gaither (LB). Kevin Boothe (OT) was grabbed in the 6th round by Oakland. Boothe played only one year for the Raiders. A better option here would have been Antoine Bethea (FS).

In the 7th round, Oakland picked Chris Morris (C) even though Marques Colston (WR) was still available on the draft board. Morris is just a bench player; Colston is a stud receiver.


Summary Of Players The Oakland Raiders Should Have Acquired In 2006

Antonio Cromartie
Owen Daniels
Brandon Marshall
Antoine Bethea
Marques Colston

The Oakland Raiders are currently one of the more pathetic NFL franchises. The Raiders have drafted poorly in recent years and yet they could have drafted superstars to their team. Tony Romo, Michael Turner, Brandon Marshall, Marques Colston, Lofa Tatupu and Osi Umenyiora could have been playing for the Raiders.

Below is the franchise "dream team" for Oakland. The team is based on franchise needs and draft pick locations. Nobody would be laughing at this Raiders franchise if these were the players that were on the football field.

Tony Romo (QB)
Matt Schaub (QB)

Michael Turner (RB)
Ryan Grant (RB)
Derrick Ward (RB)
Justin Fargas (RB)

Roddy White (WR)
Brandon Marshall (WR)
Marques Colston (WR)

Jason Witten (TE)
Antonio Gates (TE)
Owen Daniels (TE)

Nick Hardwick (C)
Kris Dielman (OG)
Shawn Andrews (OT)

Jared Allen (DE)
Osi Umenyiora (DE)
Trent Cole (DE)
Robert Mathis (DE)

Lofa Tatupu (LB)
Cato June (LB)
Kirk Morrison (LB)
Thomas Howard (LB)

Nnamdi Asomugha (CB)
Asante Samuel (CB)
Antonio Cromartie (CB)
Antoine Bethea (FS)

Josh Cribbs (KR)