The Raiders got a good glimpse of the future last season after the Raiders decided to let first round pick JaMarcus Russell show what he could do.  Russell played in 4 games (1 start) as a rookie last season and he completed 36 of 66 passes (54.5%) for 373 yards with 2 TD passes and 4 interceptions (55.9 QB Rating).  Russell also carried the ball 5 times for 4 yards (0.8 ypc).  Russell has the arm to take the Raiders where they want to go as long as they get him some weapons to play with.  2nd round pick, TE Zach Miller should be one of Russell’s main weapons in the future.  Miller played in 16 games (all starts) as a rookie last season and he caught 44 passes for 444 yards (10.1 avg) with 3 TD grabs.  He will improve as his career motors on.  The Raiders didn’t do too well in the 3rd round.  The Raiders first pick in the 3rd round was DE Quentin Moses and they cut him before the season started.  Moses played in 7 games (1 start) with the Miami Dolphins and he made 8 tackles and had 1.5 sacks.  The 2nd of the Raiders’ third round picks was OT Mario Henderson and he played in only 1 game (0 starts) last season.  The Raiders final third round pick was WR Johnnie Lee Higgins.  Higgins played in all 16 games (2 starts) for the Raiders last season and he carried the ball 2 times for 3 yards (1.5 ypc) and he also caught 6 passes for 47 yards (7.8 avg).  Higgins also returned 20 punts for 103 yards (5.2 avg).  In the 4th round the Raiders selected RB Michael Bush.  Bush missed all of last season while recovering from a serious leg injury that he suffered in college.  If he can recover the Raiders stole him in the 4th round.  CB John Bowie was the player that the Raiders acquired for WR Randy Moss.  Bowe played in 2 games (0 starts) last season and he finished with 1 tackle.  DE Jay Richardson was the first of two 5th round picks for the Raiders.  Richardson played in 16 games (11 starts) last season for the Raiders and he made 33 tackles, had 1 sack and defensed 1 pass.  He will likely be a decent reserve for the Raiders in his career.  Strong safety Eric Frampton was cut loose by the Raiders.  He played in 14 games for the Vikings & Lions and he made 14 tackles.  Fullback Oren O’Neal was the 6th round pick of the Raiders last season.  He played in 14 games (1 start) for the Raiders last season and he caught 1 pass for 1 yard.  His game is blocking and he’s pretty good at it.  WR Jonathan Holland was the 7th round pick of the Raiders.  He injured his shoulder over last summer and never made the team.

GRADE FOR 2007 SEASON:  C-

GRADE FOR THE FUTURE:  B