2019 NFL Draft: History shows Raiders can strike gold with No. 27 pick

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The Raiders traded Amari Cooper to Dallas for what ended up being the No. 27 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. The Silver and Black have made that selection once in their history, before the AFL-NFL merger.

They picked linebacker Gus Otto back in 1965. He was a productive player over eight seasons during a Raiders golden age that included five trips to the playoffs.

There’s always some uncertainty selecting that deep into the first round. The Raiders certainly hoped for a better return on Cooper, but the Cowboys drove the value down with an NFC East title and an opening-round playoff victory.

The No. 27 pick was locked up after Sunday’s conclusion of the playoffs’ divisional round, when the Philadelphia Eagles lost to the New Orleans Saints.

There’s no guarantee the Raiders, or any team for that matter, can find an impact player drafting this low in the first round.

But, there have been some excellent picks at No. 27 overall. There has been just one Hall of Fame player taken at No. 27, and he leads the best draft picks from this slot.

BOOM

  • QB Dan Marino (Miami, 1983): The greatest quarterback to never win a Super Bowl, but maybe one of the most talented passers ever, was taken near the bottom of the first round. Somehow.
  • WR Roddy White (Atlanta, 2005): The four-time Pro Bowler and one-time All-Pro was incredibly consistent for the Falcons. The receiver-needy Raiders would give anything to land a player like this.
  • WR DeAndre Hopkins (Houston, 2013): Proof positive that an elite player can be found this far down, Hopkins currently ranks among the NFL’s best receivers.
  • CB Devin McCourty (New England, 2010): The defensive back has been a consistent starter since his rookie year. The Raiders would be thrilled to come away with a nine-year starter and two-time Pro Bowler at No. 27 overall


[RELATED: Boom or bust? Raiders have seen both with No. 24 pick]

BUST

  • WR Rae Carruth (Carolina, 1997): Was with the Panthers for most of three seasons, but was convicted of conspiracy to commit murder.
  • LB/DE Todd Kelly (49ers, 1993): He played just two seasons with the 49ers but was cut in 1995 after failing to develop as the 49ers had hoped.
  • OT John Michels (Green Bay, 1996): Michels was a productive player for the Packers, and was the team’s co-rookie of the year in 1996. But knee injuries cut his career extremely short, leaving the Packers without much to show for a first-round pick.
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