The Best First-Round Picks in Oakland Raiders History

Alright, I did my top 15 worst first round picks in Raider History, now here are my top 15 best first round picks in Raider History.

15. (tie) 2004 Robert Gallery, OL Iowa: He was thought of as a can't-miss pick until he was drafted into a bad coaching scheme.  Once Tom Cable first came aboard as his OL coach, he has anchored himself as the anchor of the OL at LG.  No Pro Bowls yet, but he still has a long career ahead of him.

1995 Napolean Kaufman, RB Washington: His career was a short six years, but they were good.  Injuries kept him from returning to the field and playing 100 percent.  In 1997, he had career highs of 1,294 yards rushing and six TDs.  I think he should've been in the Pro Bowl that year.  He had 4,792 career rushing yards and 12 rushing TDs; also had five receiving TDs. 

14. 1990 Anthony Smith, DE Arizona: He had 57 career sacks in seven seasons.  I guess injuries kept him from returning to the NFL after 1997.  He originally was a pass rush specialist until the departure of Howie Long and Greg Townsend.  The man used to sack QBs like potatoes.

13. 1974 Henry Lawrence, OL Florida A&M: He was a two-time Pro Bowl RT and a member of all three championships, but only started two of them.  Lawrence was an excellent run blocker and pass protector.

12. 2000 Sebastian Janikowski, PK Florida State:  Despite all the criticism when he first came around, he is the best kicker we've ever had.  He is also the Raiders all-time scoring leader.

11. 1998 Charles Woodson, CB Michigan: He made the Pro Bowl his first four years as a Raider, plus earned first team All Pro in 1999 and then injures slowed him down after that. After an injury plagued 2005 season, the Raiders decided he wasn't worth franchising again and allowed him to become a free agent.  He revamped his career in Green Bay and is now one of the to...

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