Oakland Raiders’ Top-10 First-Round Draft Picks

. . Raymond Chester. 7. team. 28. In the 1970 NFL Draft, Davis drafted tight end Raymond Chester in the first round. Back then, there wasn’t all that big of a premium placed on tight ends. Guys like Mike Ditka and John Mackey had their impacts on the passing game. <p>But for the most part, the tight end was thought of as little more than a third tackle. And when they did catch passes, it was something short and in the middle of the field. But Davis didn’t play the game that way, he wanted to use tight ends down the field.</p> <p>And at 6’3″, 235 pounds, Chester had excellent speed so he could make plays down the field. He averaged over 15 yards per catch four times in his career and 19.5 one year. And at the same time, he was still a third tackle as he was a punishing blocker.</p> <p>Chester spent seven of his 12 years with the Raiders, making the Pro Bowl four times with them. He never was an All-Pro but helped the Raiders win Super Bowls in 1976 and in 1980. And he was among the best players at his position every year in his era. </p>