2019 NFL Draft: What recent history tells Raiders about No. 4 pick

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The Raiders have had a few cracks at the No. 4 overall NFL draft pick. The slot has treated them well.

Wide receiver Amari Cooper was the last Raiders selected fourth and, despite some in-game disappearences, Cooper broke 1,000 yards in three full Raiders seasons, made two Pro Bowls and was worthy of Dallas’ first-round pick in trade.

Even if he wasn’t a Raider long term, Cooper was a darn good pick.

Running back Darren McFadden also came fourth to the Raiders (in 2008), but he couldn’t stay healthy enough to realize vast potential.

Cornerback Charles Woodson was also a Raiders No. 4 overall pick, and we all know how that turned out. Defensive tackle Joe Rutgens was taken No. 4 overall by the Raiders in the 1961 AFL draft, but ended up signing with the NFL’s Washington football club and made two Pro Bowls.

The No. 4 overall pick is hard to screw up. There are elite talents available with just three collegians off the board, leaving teams with quality selections.

Take a look at a decade’s worth of No. 4 overall picks. The Raiders would welcome talent and consistency from all but two at that slot:

2018: CB Denzel Ward (Cleveland)
2017: RB Leonard Fournette (Jacksonville)
2016: RB Ezekiel Elliott (Dallas)
2015: WR Amari Cooper (Raiders)
2014: WR Sammy Watkins (Buffalo)
2013: OT Lane Johnson (Philadelphia)
2012: OT Matt Kalil (Minnesota)
2011: WR A.J. Green (Cincinnati)
2010: OT Trent Williams (Washington)
2009: LB Aaron Curry (Seattle)

Curry didn’t pan out. Watkins has been hurt too often but can be spectacular on rare occasion.

While Raiders fans clamored for the 2019 NFL draft’s top pick, selecting in the top four remains a solid consolation prize for a team that needs to get better in a hurry. The Silver and Black have an opportunity to do so with the No. 4 pick and as yet undetermined first-rounders from the Khalil Mack and Amari Cooper trades. They also have the 35th pick (in the second round), which should glean a quality talent.

They can’t miss with the No. 4 pick. Recent history, and the Raiders’ individual track record at that spot, shows it’s hard to do.

Recent mock drafts have the Raiders taking Alabama defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, Houston interior defensive lineman Ed Oliver or Clemson edge rusher Clelin Ferrell fourth overall in this upcoming draft.

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