JUMP TO: Long before they moved to Las Vegas, the had a chance to reset the franchise with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft. After averaging fewer than four wins over the previous four seasons, the Raiders had some reason for hope with a young offensive-minded head coach in Lane Kiffin and the chance to draft a promising quarterback from LSU named JaMarcus Ru sell. The pairing of Kiffin and Ru sell didn't work in Jimmy Vesey Jersey any shape or form, however, and it took the franchise several more years to recover at the quarterback position. Here's a look back at the Raiders' failed selection of Ru sell. MORE: Last Raiders No. 1 pick The Raiders last owned the No. 1 pick in 2007, when they selected QB JaMarcus Ru sell out of LSU. The idea of pairing Ru sell with a highly-regarded offensive coach in Kiffin gave Oakland a reason to be excited after four dismal seasons, but their respective stays were short. Ru sell never proved to be a capable NFL starter, while Kiffin was fired in an ugly split just weeks into his second season on the job. Why did Raiders draft JaMarcus Ru sell? Despite his flop in the NFL, Ru sell wasn't a controversial pick at the time. His arm strength was considered to be outstanding, and his size for the position was ahead of his time. With a rocket of an arm and a strong frame at 6-6, Ru sell pa sed the eye test over and over at LSU even without being very mobile. Ru sell spent two seasons as a full-time starter at LSU and made starts in three different seasons, so inexperience wasn't a concern. High-level quarterback options in the 2007 draft were also limited outside of Ru sell. Notre Dame's Brady Quinn surprisingly slid to No. 22, but no one else was considered to be anywhere close to Ru sell's combination of size and talent. MORE: JaMarcus Ru sell college stats Season Games Comp. rate Pa s yards TD INT 2004 11 50.7 1,053 9 4 2005 12 60.5 2,443 15 9 2006 13 67.8 3,129 28 8 Career 36 61.9 6,625 52 21 Ru sell steadily improved throughout his time at LSU, throwing 28 touchdowns and eight interceptions in his final season with the Tigers. He saw his accuracy improve drastically from year one to year three, and the Raiders hoped his upward trajectory would continue in the NFL. MORE: JaMarcus Ru sell rookie contract Before rookie contracts became standard acro s the board, Ru sell and the Raiders struggled to come to terms on a rookie deal. Ru sell held out all the way through Week 1, until he agreed to a six-year, $68 million rookie deal that ran through the 2012 season. When Ru sell was released by the Raiders, the two sides didn't split quietly. The Raiders still owed him $3 million, but Ru sell claimed he was owed $9 million. The organization, meanwhile, argued it was owed $9.55 million in salary advances back from Ru sell. Ru sell and the Raiders reached a settlement in 2013, with the franchise giving the former quarterback $3 million four years after his last NFL action. How long did JaMarcus Ru sell play for the Raiders? Ru sell only lasted three seasons with the Raiders. He started just one game as a rookie but, despite accuracy i sues, showed some glimmers of hope in 2008 when he went 5-10 with 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions in a tough situation. By 2009, however, it became clear there was no path forward for Ru sell in Oakland. He went 2-7 over nine starts, completing 48.3 percent of pa ses for three touchdowns and 11 interceptions. The Raiders released Ru sell in 2010. Ru sell's physical tools weren't in doubt when he was drafted, but his lack of pa sion for football and inability to keep himself in shape are believed to be the two biggest factors in his struggle to stick in the NFL. Ru sell never played for another NFL team JaMarcus Ru sell legal troubles Ru sell was arrested in 2010 for po se sion of illegal codeine syrup in Alabama, though a grand jury later declined to indict him. In 2024, Ru sell was sued for allegedly stealing money that was intended for the football program at Williamson High School, where he had been a volunteer a sistant coach. Ru sell lost the case and had to pay back $72,000. Joe Kocur Jersey