I was talking to a guy in the stands at the recent Chiefs game and I wanted to take a quick look at the Raider draft picks over the last 7 years. I know it's always easy to look back post-draft, but our scouting has been absolutely horrible... or... we have a washed up old fart calling the shots (which is more likely) and ignoring any football-minds we have on staff.

Summary (with detail below)

Over the last 7 years....

What we drafted - Darren McFadden, JaMarcus Russell, Michael Huff, Fabian Washington, Robert Gallery, Nnamdi Asomugha, and Tyler Brayton

"What could have been..." - Nnamdi Asomugha, Anquan Boldin, Larry Fitzgerald, Aaron Rodgers, Haloti Ngata, Adrian Peterson, and Glenn Dorsey. It makes me want to cry right now!!!  =)

2008 - Darren McFadden (4th Overall)

The jury is still out on this pick; however, I NEVER agreed with this pick. We had more pressing needs on the D-Line and secondary. McFadden could still be a star in this league; however, I would have gone a very different route.

Better Option - Glenn Dorsey

2007 - JaMarcus Russel (1st Overall)

Where do I begin? Holy crap! I watched him in person several times over the last couple of years and he is absolutely, postively horrible.  This guys sucks!... and on top of it, he doesn't give a crap about getting better. I don't usually hate on my Raider players, but JaMarcus is a piece of crap!

Better Option - Anybody but JaMarcus! Calvin Johnson, Adrian Peterson, Patrick Willis, Gaines Adams.. do I need to go on?... okay, Joe Thomas, Levi Brown, Jamaal Anderson

2006 - Michael Huff (7th Overall)

He has shown slight improvement; however, yet another horrible pick. I was begging for the Raiders to take one of the DTs and once again... we fouled it up.

Better Option - Haloti Ngata or DeAngelo Williams

2005 - Fabian Washington (23rd Overall)

Another speed-guy pick, definitely reaks of Grandpa Davis.Horrible pick.... even for a late 1st rounder.

Better Option - Aaron Rodgers or Luis Castillo

2004 - Robert Gallery (2nd Overall)

I will not fault the Raiders for this pick.  I actually liked this one at the time.  The only one I supported in recent memory, but there definitely ended up being better options.

Better Option - Larry Fitzgerald, Philip Rivers, Sean Taylor, Ben Roethlisberger, Steven Jackson

2003 - Nnamdi Asomugha (31st overall) and Tyler Brayton (32nd overall)

The Raiders obviously made an outstanding pick in Asomugha.  Thank god we actually got one right!

Brayton has not worked out as well, but I will take 100 more drafts like this!!!

Better Option (for Brayton) - Anquan Boldin