top five draft picks since 2003

Last week, the locked up 27-year-old running back Justin Fargas to a deal that will keep him with the silver and black through the 2010 season. Fargas was a product of the 2003 NFL draft, in which heJets 6 Sanchez Jersey
was chosen in the third round (96th overall) by Oakland.Now, the Raiders will be faced with yet another challenge thanks to the '03 draft. Oakland has exactly four days to attempt to re-sign -- or, at the very least, franchise tag -- high-profile cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, who was the team's first pick that year.Both scenarios indicate that the Raiders' drafting department did a decent job projecting talent five years ago. Both Fargas and Asomugha are expected to play big roles in the 2008 season.That being said, let's take a look at the Raiders' top five draftees since 2003.5. Zach Miller (2007, Round 2): Miller only has one season under his belt, but it's a good one. The 6-foot-5, 255-pound tight end caught 44 passes last season for 444 yards and three touchdowns. Miller is the first Raider rookie to surpass Tim Brown's inaugural season catch mark of 43 that was set 20 years ago. He was also well above average in terms of blocking for a rookie, and became more and more of a weapon as the season dragged on. 4. Justin Fargas (2003, Round 3): If it wasn't for last season, Fargas would be all but gone right now. Instead, the soon-to-be sixth year halfback is sporting a new $12 million contract in response to the 1,000-yard season he compiled in just seven starts last year. Fargas posted four 100-plus-yard efforts in 2007 after registering none in his first three years in the NFL. The Raiders will certainly hope for more of those in 2008.3. Kirk Morrison (2005, Round 3): Morrison has started in 47 of a possible 48 games at middle linebacker since he was drafted in '05, and has put up over 115 tackles each year. In three seasons, the 25-year-old defender has racked up 363 tackles, five interceptions, 15 passes defensed and a pair of sacks.2. Thomas Howard (2006, Round 2): Last season may have just been a small preview of what 24-year-old OLB Thomas Howard is capable off. The 240-pounder, like Morrison, has missed just one start since he was drafted by the Raiders. Last year, Howard snagged a team-leading six interceptions to accompany 95 tackles, 11 passes defensed, one sack and two defensive TDs.1. Nnamdi Asomugha (2003, Round 1): Asomugha started his NFL career off ultra-slow, tallying no picks in 4 Brett Favre White jersey
his first four years, but did enough in 2006 to prove he was worthy of the first-round draft choice the Raiders spent on him. The ex-California standout registered eight INTs two years ago, priming himself for what would become a boring but eye-popping '07 campaign. Last year, No. 21 was picked on just 28 times all season long, and allowed only 10 catches.