First-round picks—guys expected to fill those roles—who have spent time on their roster have generally not panned out. The team released (via profootballtalk.nbcsports.com) linebacker Aaron Curry (selected No. 4 overall in 2009 by the Seattle Seahawks) and seems to be on the same path (via espn.com) with Rolando McClain (No. 8 in 2010), albeit for entirely different reasons.
Quarterback Carson Palmer (drafted No. 1 in 2003 by the Cincinnati Bengals) is 32 years old. The team will likely be headed in a different direction at the position sooner rather than later. 29-year-old Matt Leinart (chosen No. 10 in 2006 by the Arizona Cardinals) hasn’t gotten an opportunity to show whether he is the QB that Oakland may ultimately wish to choose.
Defensive lineman Richard Seymour (New England's No. 6 in 2001) is 33.
Running back Darren McFadden (No. 4 in 2008) hasn’t played more than 13 games in any of his five seasons, so the team will have to depend on another player to be its featured back. Another high first-round pick, wideout Darrius Heyward-Bey (No. 7 in 2009) has played 15 games twice but is still in pursuit of his first 1,000-yard season.
There are a few bright spots Oakland has acquired with a mid-round draft pick or with no draft pick at all. Safety Tyvon Branch (No. 100 in 2008) has played all 16 games in the three full seasons since his rookie year. He logged over 100 total tackles in each of those seasons and is on pace to do so again this year.
You normally would prefer that your safeties don’t get 100 tackles in a season, but when the Raiders don’t stop the run (28th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game), somebody has to.
On the offensive side of the ball, fullback Marcel Reece (undrafted) has been a revelation this ...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Oakland Raiders
