2005 NFL Draft Kirk Morrison Andrew Walter Fabian Washington

The have had their fair share of ups and downs in the NFL draft department.In 2001, it was Oakland that spent its first-round pick on safety Derrick Gibson and its second-rounder on quarterback Marques Tuiasosopo. From that point on, DeLawrence Grant, Raymond Perryman, Chris Cooper, Derek Combs and Ken-Yon Rambo were the next five names called.Safe to say, 2001 wasn't the best of years for Oakland's scout team.Just four years later, however, the team used five of its seven draft picks on defenders. To this date, much of 2010 pro bowl Vikings 4 Brett Favre jersey
the Raiders' recent success can be ascribed to this draft, where the team's future starting quarterback, middle linebacker and two primary defensive backs were found.Nearly halfway through 2006, here is how the rookies of 2005 -- drafted and undrafted -- have contributed to the present team:Undrafted: Chris Carr, CB/KR, Boise StateAs a rookie, the electrifying dual-threat averaged 24 yards per return on 73 kick returns; through seven games, the 5-foot-10 defensive back averages 25.2 yards per return with two runbacks over 40 yards. In Week 8, Carr returned a Ben Roethlisberger interception 100 yards for a touchdown in a 20-13 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.Round Six: Anttaj Hawthorne, DT, WisconsinHawthorne has slowly found his way into the Raiders' lineup, acting as a deep reserve behind tackles Warren Sapp, Tommy Kelly and Terdell Sands. The 6-3, 310-pound lineman has recorded just four tackles this season, but has appeared in each of the team's first seven games. At 24, Hawthorne has plenty of time to develop; however, his short glimpses of action already indicate solid future value for the Raiders' defense.Round Three: Kirk Morrison, LB, San Diego StateMorrison was arguably the Raiders' best selection of 2005. Acting as an OLB, the 240-pounder led the team in tackles as a rookie, registering 116 (91 solo). In the '06 offseason, Morrison ousted 29-year-old veteran Danny Clark as the team's middle linebacker, who, in the previous two seasons, had recorded 242 tackles. Thus far, the 24-year-old linebacker is yet to disappoint. Morrison has registered a team-leading 55 tackles through seven games, on pace for 125 on the season. Most importantly, though, the San Diego State alumnus has become a complete player, not only helping in run support, but also in pass defense. No. 52 has already intercepted two passes; before Morrison came along, the last time a Raiders linebacker had intercepted a pass was Jan. 2, 2004, when Tim Johnson picked off Byron Leftwich. Round Three: Andrew Walter, QB, Arizona StateWalter is one of three current starters drafted in 2005. The 24-year-old has expectedly struggled in his first five NFL starts, doing his best to weather the effects of a bumpy offensive line and suspect rushing attack. The numbers certainly aren't pretty; however, Walter has unquestionably improved since his first start on Oct. 1. The sophomore quarterback holds an unexpected 2-3 record as a starter, not necessarily winning, but managing not to lose the team's last two games -- something Raiders quarterbacks have had trouble doing over the past four seasons.Round Two: Stanford Routt, CB, HoustonRoutt (6-1, 195 pounds) has the prototypical size and speed that you need in a cornerback. That was the fear, however, when the Raiders selected Routt 38th overall in 2005. The Houston grad was projected by many to be one of the Raiders' forthcoming failed projects -- simply another young, tall defensive back with blazing speed and little on-field ability.Thus far, the 23-year-old has proven to be more than just fast, however. As a primary nickel- and dime-set defensive back, Routt has demonstrated his ability to stay physical in coverage. In place of the injured Fabian Washington, Routt started alongside Nnamdi Asomugha in Weeks 5 and 6, recording six tackles, two pass deflections and his first career interception.Round One: Fabian Washington, CB, NebraskaWashington ran a 4.29 40-yard dash prior to the '05 draft. That alone may have been enough information for owner Al Davis to select Washington 23rd overall. After the Raiders traded up to take him, Washington recalled, "I saw [Al Davis] right before I was going to run my 40. He was about 10 yards away from me in the front row, so as soon as you look up, you see him."However the 23-year-old found his way to Oakland, though, 10 Santonio Holmes White jersey
shouldn't matter too much now. Starting alongside Nnamdi Asomugha, No. 27 is much of the reason why the Raiders' pass defense ranks at the top of the NFL, allowing just 159.1 yards per game. The 185-pounder has missed two games this season due to injury (hamstring); however, he was one of four defenders to intercept the Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger in the team's Week 8 win.Want to be in this Friday's Raiders mailbag? . (18)