ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Jon Gruden’s first Oakland Raiders draft class since 2001 offered his first building block in another franchise rebuild. And though the draft is the lifeblood of a team, the Raiders' 2018 rookies were expected to serve as complementary players to the likes of Khalil Mack, Bruce Irvin and Amari Cooper. These rookies all hit that infamous rookie wall, at different points of the season, but they showed flashes of potential. Eight of the nine draft picks played in 2018, with all eight becoming regulars by the end of the season for a 4-12 team.
Raiders' rookies pressed into action earlier than anticipated for 4-12 team
