The Raiders selected WR Denarius Moore in the 5th round of the 2011 NFL Draft. Moore made an immediate impact as a rookie. Photo by Tony Gonzales.
With the 2012 NFL Draft on the horizon, we recap some of the Raiders late round draft steals over the years. Since participating in the their first AFL draft in 1960, the Raiders have had a significant number of late round steals, proving that the late picks can bring in strong players.
Here are some of the Raiders late-round steals:
In the 2011 NFL Draft, the Raiders selected WR Denarius Moore in the 5th round (148th overall). Moore went on to catch 33 passes for 618 yards and five touchdowns and had three games with over 100 receiving yards. The receiver out of Tennessee tied for third on the team in receptions, led the team in receiving touchdowns and ranked second in receiving yards. The rookie led the team with 25 punt returns for 216 yards. He was also voted Pepsi Rookie of the Week twice.
In the sixth round of the 2009 NFL Draft (202nd overall), the Raiders selected TE Brandon Myers. Since joining the Raiders, Myers has played in 42 games and caught 32 passes for 250 yards. He has also been a key contributor on special teams, totaling 16 tackles (13 solo) and recording two forced fumbles.
In 1993, the Raiders selected LB Greg Biekert in the 7th round. Biekert went on to play nine seasons for the Silver and Black and 11 seasons overall and never missed a game (played in 176). He recorded 16 sacks, seven interceptions, 10 forced fumbles and six fumble recoveries. Biekert played in six postseason games with the Raiders, started the 2000 AFC Championship Game at middle linebacker and racked up a game-high 16 tackles in the "Tuck Game" against the Patriots.
The Raiders drafted RB Bo Jackson in the 7th round of the 1987 NFL draft. Jackson played four seasons (38 games) for the Raiders and rushed 515 times for 2,782 yards and 16 touchdowns. He also caught 40 passes for 352 yards and two touchdowns. Jackson had a career rushing average of 5.4 yards per carry. Jackson was named to the 1990 Pro Bowl and to 2nd Team All Pro in 1989 and 1990.
In 1981, the Raiders drafted RB Frank Hawkins in the 10th round of the NFL Draft. Hawkins played seven seasons for the Silver and Black, playing in 88 games with 34 starts. In his career, he rushed 431 times for 1,659 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also caught 97 passes for 691 yards and three touchdowns. Hawkins was part of the 1983 Super Bowl team that defeated the Washington Redskins. In 1980, the Raiders selected WR Malcolm Barnwell in the 7thround of the NFL Draft. Barnwell played five seasons in the NFL, four with the Raiders. As a member of the Silver and Black, Barnwell caught 112 passes for 1,941 yards and four touchdowns. He returned 15 kickoffs for 265 yards (17.7 avg.). In 1984, Barnwell's 18.9 yards per reception ranked 7th in the NFL.
The Oakland Raiders selected T/G Bruce Davis in the 11th round of the 1979 NFL Draft. Davis played eight full seasons for the Silver and Black, playing in 160 games with 115 starts. Davis played in 16 playoff games, including two Super Bowls for the Raiders.
Also drafted by the Raiders in 1979 was NT Reggie Kinlaw out of Oklahoma. Kinlaw played in eight NFL seasons, six for the Raiders. He recorded two sacks and one fumble recovery. In 1980, Kinlaw was named 2nd Team All-Conference and won two Super Bowls with the Raiders.
In 1978, the Raiders drafted RB Arthur Whittington, who played for the Silver and Black for four seasons. Whittington rushed 441 times for 1,577 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also caught 84 passes for 764 yards and two touchdowns. Whittington returned 74 kickoffs for 1,474 yards (19.9 yards/return) and one touchdown.
In the 1977 NFL Draft, the Oakland Raiders selected LB Rod Martin in the 12th round. Martin played in 12 seasons for the Silver and Black, playing in 165 games (147 starts). Martin recorded 33.5 sacks, one safety, 14 interceptions for 225 yards and four touchdowns. Martin was named to two Pro Bowls (1983, 1984), 1st Team All Pro in 1984, and 2nd Team All Pro in 1983. In Super Bowl XV, Martin recorded a Super Bowl record three interceptions.
The Raiders selected S George Atkinson in the 7th round of the 1968 NFL Draft. Atkinson played 10 seasons for Oakland, starting 112 games. He returned 148 punts for 1,247 yards and three touchdowns as well as retuned 76 kickoffs for 1,893 yards. Atkinson recorded 30 interceptions for 448 yards and two touchdowns. He had 13 fumble recoveries and two for touchdowns. Atkinson played in two Pro Bowls (1968, 1969), named to the All-AFL 2nd Team, the 1976 All-Conference 2nd Team, and played in 16 playoff games, including Super Bowl XI.
Also in 1968, the Raiders drafted RB Marv Hubbard in the 11th round. Hubbard played seven seasons for Oakland, playing in 90 games with 58 starts. The running back rushed 951 times for 4,544 yards and 23 touchdowns, while also recording 69 catches for 592 yards and one touchdown. Hubbard was named to three Pro Bowls (1971,1972, 1973). Hubbard is the 5th all-time leading rusher in Raiders history.
In the 1964 AFL Draft, the Oakland Raiders selected DT Carleton Oats in the 21st round. Oats played in 111 games for the Silver and Black, starting in 48. In the 1961 AFL Draft, the Raiders selected DB Joe Krakoski in the 18th round. Krakoski went on to play five seasons for the Silver and Black, recording eight interceptions. In 1963, he was named to the 2nd Team All-AFL Team selected by the Associated Press and the 2ndTeam All-AFL selected by the NY Daily News.
In 1960, the Raiders selected C Jim Otto with their 24th selection. Otto was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1980 for his outstanding 15-year career with the Oakland Raiders. Otto played in 210 consecutive league games. He was named to the Pro Bowl 12 times (1961-1972) and 1st Team All-Pro 10 times (1960-1965, 1967-1970). Otto was selected to the AFL-NFL 25-year All-Star Team. He joined the Raiders front office staff in 1995.
Follow the 2012 NFL Draft on Raiders.com on April 26 (1st round), April 27 (2nd and 3rd rounds), and April 28 (4th-7th rounds).
