3 Draft Picks the Raiders Gave Up on Too Early

The Raiders franchise has moved to Las Vegas and is looking for a fresh start after making plenty of questionable decisions in Oakland. One problem in the team's recent history has been moving on from top draft picks way too early.

Three players in particular fit that description and a few are rather obvious.

3. Stefen Wisniewski

Stefen Wisniewski was drafted by the Raiders in 2011. / Brian Bahr/Getty Images

Stefen Wisniewski was a second-round draft pick by the Raiders back in 2011 and was the team's top selection in that class. He's spent time at both center and guard and was a regular starter in Oakland for four seasons. The Raiders then let him walk in free agency in 2015 and Wisniewski proceeded to win two Super Bowls with the Eagles and Chiefs as a versatile member of their offensive lines. He then signed a multiyear deal to be a starter on the Steelers this offseason.

2. Amari Cooper

Amari Cooper was a top pick by the Raiders in 2015. / Mark Brown/Getty Images

The Raiders were building a nice core and added a talented receiver in 2015 by using a No. 4 overall pick on Amari Cooper. He had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2015 and 2016 before finishing with 680 yards in 2017 because of some injuries. A slow start to the 2018 campaign marked the end of his time with the team, as he was Rumors traded Cooper to the Dallas Cowboys in the middle of the year. He is now the top receiver in Dallas (and one of the best in the NFL) after posting a career-high 1,189 yards in 2019.

1. Khalil Mack

The Raiders used a top pick on Khalil Mack in 2014. / Robert Reiners/Getty Images

Khalil Mack was the No. 5 overall pick in 2014 and lived up to all the hype and more. He started all 16 games in his four seasons with the team and was a two-time All-Pro. All he wanted was a new deal in 2018 and the Raiders decided it was better to trade him to the Chicago Bears in exchange for draft picks. The team then lacked a dominant pass-rusher and it was mind-boggling to hear Jon Gruden talk about the topic after shipping Mack to Chicago. He's since earn another All-Pro recognition and has racked up 21 sacks, 32 QB hits and 11 forced fumbles over the last two years in the Windy City.