Wild stat demonstrates Raiders’ recent drafting incompetence
After flopping in the draft for the past five seasons, the Raiders can’t afford more mistakes and must nail the 2023 NFL Draft.
Per Fox Sports’ Warren Sharp, Las Vegas had the fewest snaps played by their draft picks over the past five seasons by a wide margin. The Jets, who had the second-lowest snap count, had 35,340 more snaps than the Raiders did.
Per Sharp, the bottom 10 teams are:
- Jaguars: 61,726
- Cardinals: 61,437
- Titans: 61,164
- Chargers: 59,939
- Bills: 58,783
- Texans: 57,942
- Giants: 57,067
- Rams: 54,349
- Jets: 47,244
- Raiders: 11,904
The wild stat shows how poorly former HC Jon Gruden and GM Mike Mayock drafted. Their first-round picks were particularly underwhelming. From 2019-21, they had six first-round choices. One remains on the active roster (RB Josh Jacobs).
GM Dave Ziegler and HC Josh McDaniels have replaced the previous regime. They didn’t have a first-round pick last season since they traded it to Green Bay for six-time Pro Bowl WR Davante Adams.
Although the Raiders slid to 6-11 last season, they have enough talent to bounce back into playoff contention. In 2022, they had three Pro Bowlers (Adams, Jacobs and DE Maxx Crosby). Adding one promising prospect through the draft could help them reach the next level.
The Raiders have the No. 7 pick and are within range to select a pass-rusher or a QB who can serve as a Jimmy Garoppolo’s understudy before he becomes the face of the franchise. Kentucky QB Will Levis or Texas Tech edge-rusher Tyree Wilson could be available, and both can fill these roster holes.
Regardless, the Raiders must reverse their draft problems because it’s sinking the franchise. They’ve only made the playoffs once over the past five seasons and rank 21st in wins.
