2007 Draft Review: Where are they now?

Michael Bush celebrates after scoring on a 3-yard run against the Chicago Bears during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)

With the 2012 NFL Draft a few weeks away we feel that it is just as important to look at what has been done to know what needs to be done. We will start at 2007 and move forward throughout the week. So, without further adieu here is the Oakland Raiders 2007 draft class:

• Round 1. Jamarcus Russell
• Round 2. Zach Miller
• Round 3. Quentin Moses, Mario Henderson, Johnnie Lee Higgins
• Round 4. Michael Bush, John Bowie
• Round 5. Jay Richardson, Eric Frampton
• Round 6. Oren Oneal
• Round 7. Johnathan Holland.

After the jump we’ll have a break down of where every one is now

• Round One: Jamarcus Russell –

It’s tough to start out on such a sour note, Russell was described at the combine as Cleveland Browns former General Manager (current Philadelphia Eagles Player Personnel) Phil Savage said of Russell’s abilities, “His talent is substantial. He’s a rare combination of size and arm strength.” Russell held out the entirety of training camp before signing a six-year $68-million contract. Russell went on to stumble to a grand total of 36 completions for 373 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions in 2007. Upon the completion of the season Russell was finally named the starting quarterback for 2008. It was all downhill from there despite Russell’s uncanny ability to put up boss numbers against the Denver Broncos he had a very Tim Tebow-esque season, with games where he would go 6-11 for 150 yards and no touchdowns for example. In November 2009 Russell was benched indefinitely following yet another game with the Broncos. In 2010 during the offseason he was reported to have shown up to a mini camp weighing anywhere between 290 and 300 lbs. The Raiders chose to cut him before they owed him $9.45-million in May. Despite rumors that he may play for his home state New Orleans Saints Russell’s last real movement in his professional career came in November 2010 when he was amongst four quarterbacks to tried out for the Miami Dolphins. One further note on Russell, which related to current Raiders’ quarterback Terrelle Pryor, Pryor was turned down upon requesting to wear the #2 on his jersey by former coach Hue Jackson.

Other notable 2007 First Round selections: Calvin Johnson, Joe Thomas, Adrian Peterson, Patrick Willis, Marshawn Lynch, Darrelle Revis, Michael Griffin, Dwayne Bowe, Brandon Meriweather, Jon Beason, Joe Staley, and Ben Grubbs.

• Round Two: Zach Miller –

Miller was projected as a first round selection, but due to a less than impressive combine he dropped to the point where the Raiders could select him in the second round with their sixth overall pick. The worry with Miller was that he would join in a very long list of disappointing Oakland tight ends. This was not the case though, as the rookie tight end was one of the key factors in the success of the Raiders’ running game and Miller made the Pro Bowl as a rookie after Antonio Gates dropped out. Miller would go on to lead Oakland in receiving yards for the next three seasons in 2010 he totaled 60 receptions, 685 yards and five touchdowns. In 2011 he signed with the Seattle Seahawks and was used predominantly as a blocking tight end.

Other notable 2007 Second Round selections: Eric Weddle, Sidney Rice, LaMarr Woodley, Steve Smith, and Ryan Kalil.

• Round Three: Quentin Moses, Mario Henderson and Johnnie Lee Higgins –

Moses became the highest drafted player to not make an opening day roster, he was signed by the Arizona Cardinals a day after the Raiders cut him. Moses was released by the Cardinals and signed by the Miami Dolphins where he recorded his first career sack on November 26th.

Henderson did not see significant time at left tackle until he replaced an injured Kwame Harris in 2009. In 2010 he lost the starting left tackle to Jared Veldheer and is currently out of football as of 2011. In March of 2011 he was arrested in Fort Myers, FL for carrying a concealed firearm.

Higgins turned in a 4.43 40 yard dash at the combine and was named Oakland’s starting punt returner following a 90-yard return in preseason. He returned at least one punt in each of the Raiders’ 16 games in 2007, he had two starts as a wide receiver. He made his first NFL reception in against Denver and would have five more on the season. In 2008 Higgins led all Oakland receivers in yards (Miller led the team), he also had two touchdowns on punt returns. He went on to sign a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2011, but was released as during final roster moves.

Other notable 2007 Third Round selections: Marshal Yanda.

• Round Four: Michael Bush and John Bowie

Bush was drafted with the first selection of the fourth round despite having missed the entirety of the 2006 college season with a broken right tibia upon being tackled by Kentucky’s Wesley Woodyard. In 2007 he was still hobbled by his broken leg and spent 2007 on the Physically Unable to Perform list. Bush returned in 2008 behind Darren McFadden and Justin Fargas, he filled in mostly as a blocking fullback. In the  e 2008 finale Bush rushed for 177 yards and two touchdowns which helped Oakland deny the Tampa Bay Buccaneers a playoff spot. In 2010 Bush was finally utilized and accounted for 655 yards and eight touchdowns. In a game against the San Diego Chargers he ran for 242 yards from scrimmage and broke Bo Jackson‘s total for the most yards by a Raider since the AFL/NFL merger. Bush currently plays for the Chicago Bears.

Bowie ran a 4.36 in the 40 yard dash and was made with the pick acquired from the New England Patriots for the Randy Moss trade. Bowie was waived in 2009 and then placed on injured reserve before finally receiving an injury settlement. Since 2009 Bowie has spent time on the Browns, Hartford Colonials and Cincinnati Bengals rosters. He has two career tackles.

• Round Five: Jay Richardson and Eric Frampton

Richardson finished his rookie season with 51 total tackles and three sacks. He was placed on injured reserve in 2010 before signing with the Seahawks. He is not out of the NFL.

Frampton was yet another burner drafted by Oakland in 2007. He was cut before the start of the 2007 and immediately picked up by the Detroit Lions before finally ending up with the Minnesota Vikings where he currently plays.

• Round Six: Oren Oneal

Oneal was named by former head coach Lane Kiffin as the Raiders Rookie of the Year, he contributed mostly on offense, but also on special teams. In 2008 Oneal suffered a knee injury which was believed to be career threatening and he was placed on injured reserve. Oakland cut him in 2010.

• Round Seven: Jonathan Holland

Holland was placed on injured reserve in July 2007 ending his rookie season. He wasn’t promoted to the active roster until December 2008 and was cut in 2010 to make room for quarterback Colt Brennan. He is currently on the Edmonton Eskimos roster.

So that’s that folks, the most interesting tidbit about this class is the success so many of them had even without the Raiders.

(Update: April Fools!)