Outwardly, Darrius Heyward-Bey seems no different from when he arrived as the controversial No. 7 overall pick of the 2009 draft.

He has the same easy smile and a lack of concern over statistics that at times seems to border on disinterest.

Heyward-Bey would shrug when his numbers suggested he was on his way to becoming a big-time draft bust, the same way he does now after emerging as the Raiders’ top receiver.

“I don’t care what critics say,” Heyward-Bey said. “All I care about is me, my teammates and my coaches.”

For two years, critics said a lot, and not without reason.

In two seasons, Heyward-Bey caught only 35 passes with nine drops. The fastest receiver in the draft was left in the dust by every other wide receiver selected in the first round.

Making it worse was the fact he was targeted 105 times with a reception rate of just 33.3 percent. It was that stat that prompted statistical analysis website Football Outsiders to pronounce Heyward-Bey one of the least valuable players in the entire NFL.

Through it all, former coach Tom Cable and Hue Jackson, first as offensive coordinator and then head coach, insisted Heyward-Bey was working hard at his craft. Results would follow, they promised.

In Year 3, while there is a ways to go for Heyward-Bey to be considered among the NFL’s elite receivers, he is at least competitive with the rest of his draft class and has put up respectable numbers.

With 51 receptions

for 775 yards and three touchdowns, Heyward-Bey will become the first wide receiver to lead the Raiders in receptions and yardage since Ronald Curry (55 receptions, 717 yards) in 2007.

His rate of receptions per target is up to 56.9 percent, and while still plagued by the occasional dropped pass, they are becoming more infrequent, with five in 14 games.

If Heyward-Bey was ever bothered by the pressure of being the first receiver taken in his draft class — and then struggling for two years — he never let on.

“You have your up and down days as a human being in general,” Heyward-Bey said. “I’ve been keeping steady for the most part. The only time I’ve ever not had confidence was in my sophomore year in high school when I didn’t make the varsity. Other than that, I really don’t care. I just go out and play ball.”

Heyward-Bey put it all on display — the good and the not-so-good — in Sunday’s 28-27 loss to the Detroit Lions. Carson Palmer threw to Heyward-Bey 11 times and completed eight for 155 yards, including a 43-yard touchdown.

On the touchdown, Heyward-Bey reached out and snagged the catch with two hands away from his body, something he didn’t always do in his first two seasons, then broke a tackle and used the 4.3-second 40-yard dash speed that made him a natural Al Davis selection to get into the end zone.

Later, Heyward-Bey broke two more tackles on a 29-yard gain, was stripped from behind and lost a fumble. Then on the final drive, he dropped a Palmer pass that may or may not have resulted in a Sebastian Janikowski field goal attempt in the 50-yard range — there were no timeouts and no guarantee Oakland would have gotten off another snap.

“I told you guys it was going to go his way because he works extremely hard,” Jackson said. “He’s a talented player and was very close to being the player of the game. He’s got things he needs to continue to work on, but he’s getting closer and his numbers speak for themselves.”

Chiefs cornerback Brandon Flowers sees a different receiver this year.

“He looks more confident in himself and in his hands,” Flowers said by conference call. “Before, it was like he was trying to do too much, he was trying to concentrate too hard instead of just relaxing. It’s like the game slowed down for him and he’s growing into his own as an NFL receiver.”

A big part in getting the most out of Heyward-Bey has been getting him in catch-and-run situations where he can use his 6-foot-3, 210-pound frame to his advantage. Flowers said opposing corners are sometimes reluctant to close on Heyward-Bey for fear he’ll run past them.

Heyward-Bey has yet to show he can make adjustments consistently under long passes, but Jackson thinks that part will develop.

“When he starts making those uncommon plays that you look for at that position, that’s when he’s arrived,” Jackson said.

By Tyler Smith

– Contributor

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Oct 27, 2011 – Despite not having a first round selection in the 2011 draft, the Oakland Raiders came away with quite a haul of talent. Of the rookie class only Stefen Wisniewski is a full-time starter at left guard, but the whole group has been getting playing time.

Before we get to the players actually drafted this year, we should note that the Raiders traded for Richard Seymour prior to the 2009 season using their 2011 first-round draft pick. That trade has paid off in spades, as Seymour has been one of the premier defensive tackles in football during his time as a Raider, performing admirably as the leader of the defense. He has spearheaded the defensive line into becoming one of the best defensive line units in all of football. Now let’s take an individual look at each of the players selected by the Raiders in the 2011 NFL Draft.

Round 2: Stefen Wisniewski- The unquestioned starter at left guard. When the Raiders lost Robert Gallery, many feared for the health of the running game. However, Wiz has ably stepped in and the running game is even better than it was last year. He is a large part of the reason Jason Campbell was barely sacked for the first part of the year and why Darren McFadden was able to run wild. He should be one of the best linemen in the AFC West for years to come.

Round 3: DeMarcus Van Dyke: A speedster with promise, DVD was introduced to the Raider Nation by being repeatedly torched by Drew Brees in the preseason. However, Brees has torched everyone else too so we cannot hold that against young DeMarcus. He has been coming on strong of late, showing the speed to keep up with any receiver. His technique will need time to develop under the tutelage of Rod Woodson, but he has all the physical tools. He did step in front of an errant Matt Cassel pass to record an interception in the game against the Chiefs this past Sunday.

Round 3: Joseph Barksdale: Currently the backup right tackle, Barksdale has gotten plenty of playing time. He hasn’t been overpowering in general, but Khalif Barnes is playing very well and currently there is no need to rush Barksdale into full-time action. Barksdale does possess very good size, and should develop into a road-grading run blocker in time.

Round 4: Chimdi Chekwa: Chekwa was showing promise as a cover corner (after being an excellent one at Ohio State) until he suffered an injury. He was listed as questionable for Week 7 but did not play. Hopefully he will be back after the bye week. Chris Johnson was not playing particularly well before his injury, and until his own injury Chekwa was filling in admirably. Chekwa will be needed to bolster the Raiders’ injury-riddled secondary in the last half of the season.

Round 4: Taiwan Jones: Shows tremendous burst out of the backfield, elite speed and cutting ability. A luxury in the run game as a backup to Darren McFadden, Taiwan has also exhibited good kick-return skills in the absence of Jacoby Ford. With Ford back healthy those will be needed less often, but Jones is a strong backup option and a steal in the fourth round. No team can have too many fast, elusive running backs.

Round 5: Denarius Moore: The steal of the draft at this point. No player drafted anywhere near him has shown the type of ball skills, athleticism, and sheer speed as Denarius Moore. He was a game-breaker at Tennessee and the fact that he fell so far in the draft is truly baffling. Moore is not a starter, but the Raiders’ top 5 or 6 wide receivers all get substantial playing time so his place on the depth chart isn’t terribly important. So far this year he has 14 catches for 212 yards and two touchdowns. With Carson Palmer at the helm, Moore is certain to continue racking up yardage.

Round 6: Richard Gordon: Primarily a blocking tight end in college at the U. of Miami, that’s what he has done for the Raiders. He only has one reception for two yards this year. I wouldn’t expect much in the way of statistics from him, but we all know what good a blocking tight end can do for a rushing game.

Round 7: David Ausberry: His playing time has been slim and none so far. He displayed good skills during the preseason with an athletic TD catch vs. the Cardinals, but so far he only has one catch for four yards in the game against the Browns. He has good size and athleticism, and may become a larger part of the offense in the future; only time will tell.

Overall the Raiders’ draft class has had an impact about what you might expect given their draft positions (except for Denarius Moore). I don’t see any busts, but I do see several players who will be strong contributors and potential Pro Bowlers in the future. Even without a first round pick, this looks to be one of the Raiders’ strongest classes in a long time.

Read More: Jason Campbell (QB – OAK), Richard Seymour (DT – OAK), Khalif Barnes (OT – OAK), Carson Palmer (QB – OAK), Robert Gallery (G – SEA), Darren McFadden (RB – OAK), Chimdi Chekwa (CB – OAK), DeMarcus Van Dyke (CB – OAK), Stefen Wisniewski (C – OAK), Joseph Barksdale (OT – OAK), Taiwan Jones (RB – OAK), Denarius Moore (WR – OAK), David Ausberry (TE – OAK), Oakland Raiders, Kansas City Chiefs, Arizona Cardinals

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By JOSH DUBOW
AP Sports Writer

NAPA, Calif. (AP) – The Oakland Raiders always have been seduced by size and speed so it came as little surprise that they used a third-round pick Monday in the NFL’s supplemental draft to select former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor.

Pryor’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said his client was excited about going in the third round after waiting until last Thursday to find out he’d even be eligible for the supplemental draft and not working out for teams until Saturday.

“We’re tickled and thrilled that Terrelle went in the third round and to the Raiders,” Rosenhaus said. “The third round is quite an accomplishment for a young man who had his pro day 48 hours ago and didn’t know he would be in the draft until Thursday morning and wasn’t able to meet with any decision makers.”

The Raiders used the 18th selection of the third round for Pryor, forfeiting a pick in that round in the 2012 draft.

Pryor immediately headed to the Bay Area after being drafted and Rosenhaus said he hoped to finalize a contract as soon as possible to get Pryor on the practice field. Rosenhaus has already negotiated a third-round deal with the Raiders this summer with rookie cornerback DeMarcus Van Dyke.

“We’re optimistic this will be a smooth negotiation,” he said. “We enjoy working with the Raiders and he’s very excited.”

Pryor will be able to practice immediately after signing and play in the remaining two exhibition games. But he will not be eligible to practice with or play for Oakland during the regular season until the team’s sixth game.

While there has been some speculation that Pryor’s future could come as a receiver or tight end, Raiders coach Hue Jackson said he views Pryor as a quarterback and he will start his career there.

“The guy had a very storied career at Ohio State,” Jackson said. “He can throw it, he can run with it. He’s smart, he’s tough, he’s played in big games. He’s another young athlete that we’ll add to the mix that plays quarterback and we’ll work with him and get this guy to be a good player.”

When he was allowed to enter Monday’s draft, he was handed a five-game suspension by Commissioner Roger Goodell – the same number of games he would have sat out had he returned to Ohio State. Pryor has said he will not appeal the suspension.

Pryor gave up his final season with the Buckeyes after an investigation into the team’s memorabilia-for-cash scandal that cost coach Jim Tressel his job.

His selection by the Raiders hardly is surprising. Oakland often makes bold moves in the draft because owner Al Davis covets size and speed. Pryor ran a 4.36 in the 40 during his workout for 17 NFL teams Saturday. At 6-foot-5 and 232 pounds, he is similar in height to JaMarcus Russell, the LSU quarterback chosen No. 1 overall by the Raiders in the 2007 draft.

But Pryor is much more mobile. As a junior, Pryor had his best season statistically, throwing for 2,772 yards and 27 touchdowns with 11 interceptions. He also ran for 754 yards and four scores while helping the Buckeyes win the Sugar Bowl.

“We all know how Al Davis likes big players who can run and Terrelle brings a dimension of size and speed that’s unique to the quarterback position,” Rosenhaus said. “The Raiders are a good fit for him because they have had an unsettled quarterback situation for a number of years and have worked in a number of different players. Any young quarterback would like the opportunity to go there and compete and be the guy.”

Oakland’s starting quarterback is Jason Campbell, now in his second season with the Raiders after being acquired from Washington, where he spent five seasons. Campbell is in the last year of his contract, as are backups Kyle Boller and Trent Edwards.

The Raiders considered drafting a quarterback to groom for the future in April but did not find the right fit. Now they have Pryor to fill that role.

Pryor said he’s thankful for the opportunity to play in the NFL.

“The type of guy that you’re getting is a competitive guy, a feisty guy that wants to win and will do anything to win,” he told the NFL Network. “Work hard and a person that is just opportunistic. I’m just waiting for an opportunity and when I get it, I’m going to have success.”

Pryor will be joined by a former teammate when he signs with the Raiders. Oakland had drafted cornerback Chimdi Chekwa in the fourth round in April and Chekwa gave Pryor a glowing review.

“He was a guy who can make the throws on the football field,” Chekwa said. “He also has that threat of scrambling and running. When we needed a big play in college, he made that play. When we went against him in practice, first-team offense versus first-team defense, we had to spy him, do different things. He makes you have to account for the quarterback running.”

Oakland is now without picks in the second, third and fourth rounds next year. The Raiders traded the 2012 second-round pick along with a 2011 seventh-round selection for third- and fourth-round picks this past draft to take offensive lineman Joe Barksdale and running back Taiwan Jones. They sent their fourth-round pick a year ago to the Redskins for Campbell.

Oakland could recoup some picks as compensation for losing Nnamdi Asomugha, Zach Miller and Robert Gallery as free agents.

No other players were chosen in the draft. Also eligible were former Georgia running back Caleb King, former Northern Illinois safety Tracy Wilson, former Western Carolina cornerback Torez Jones, former Lindenwood University defensive end Keenan Mace, and former North Carolina defensive end Mike McAdoo.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

NAPA, Calif. — The Oakland Raiders used a third-round pick Monday in the NFL’s supplemental draft to select former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor.

The Raiders and the league announced that Oakland used the 18th selection of the round for Pryor. Oakland forfeits its third-round selection in the 2012 draft.

Pryor’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said his client was excited about going in the third round after waiting until last Thursday to find out he’d even be eligible for the supplemental draft and not working out for teams until Saturday.

“We’re tickled and thrilled that Terrelle went in the third round and to the Raiders,” Rosenhaus said. “The third round is quite an accomplishment for a young man who had his pro day 48 hours ago and didn’t know he would be in the draft until Thursday morning and wasn’t able to meet with any decision makers.”

Pryor immediately headed to the Bay Area after being drafted and Rosenhaus said he hoped to finalize a contract as soon as possible to get Pryor on the practice field. Rosenhaus has already negotiated a third-round deal with the Raiders this summer with rookie cornerback DeMarcus Van Dyke.

“We’re optimistic this will be a smooth negotiation,” he said. “We enjoy working with the Raiders and he’s very excited.”

Pryor will be able to practice immediately after signing and play in the remaining two exhibition games. But he will not be eligible to practice with or play for Oakland during the regular season until the team’s sixth game.

When he was allowed to enter Monday’s draft, he was handed a five-game suspension by Commissioner Roger Goodell — the same number of games he would have sat out had he returned to Ohio State. Pryor has said he will not appeal the suspension.

Pryor gave up his final season with the Buckeyes after an investigation into the team’s memorabilia-for-cash scandal that cost coach Jim Tressel his job.

His selection by the Raiders hardly is surprising. Oakland often makes bold moves in the draft because owner Al Davis covets size and speed. Pryor ran a 4.36 in the 40 during his workout for 17 NFL teams Saturday. At 6-foot-5 and 232 pounds, he is similar in height to JaMarcus Russell, the LSU quarterback chosen No. 1 overall by the Raiders in the 2007 draft.

But Pryor is much more mobile. As a junior, Pryor had his best season statistically, throwing for 2,772 yards and 27 touchdowns with 11 interceptions. He also ran for 754 yards and four scores while helping the Buckeyes win the Sugar Bowl.

“We all know how Al Davis likes big players who can run and Terrelle brings a dimension of size and speed that’s unique to the quarterback position,” Rosenhaus said. “The Raiders are a good fit for him because they have had an unsettled quarterback situation for a number of years and have worked in a number of different players. Any young quarterback would like the opportunity to go there and compete and be the guy.”

Oakland’s starting quarterback is Jason Campbell, now in his second season with the Raiders after being acquired from Washington, where he spent five seasons. Campbell is in the last year of his contract, as are backups Kyle Boller and Trent Edwards.

The Raiders considered drafting a quarterback to groom for the future in April but did not find the right fit. Now they have Pryor to fill that role.

Oakland is now without picks in the second, third and fourth rounds next year. The Raiders traded the 2012 second-round pick along with a 2011 seventh-round selection for third- and fourth-round picks this past draft to take offensive lineman Joe Barksdale and running back Taiwan Jones. They sent their fourth-round pick a year ago to the Redskins for Campbell.

Oakland could recoup some picks as compensation for losing Nnamdi Asomugha, Zach Miller and Robert Gallery as free agents.

No other players were chosen.

Also eligible for the draft were former Georgia running back Caleb King, former Northern Illinois safety Tracy Wilson, former Western Carolina cornerback Torez Jones, former Lindenwood University defensive end Keenan Mace, and former North Carolina defensive end Mike McAdoo.

NAPA, Calif. (AP) — The Oakland Raiders always have been seduced by size and speed so it came as little surprise that they used a third-round pick Monday in the NFL’s supplemental draft to select former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor.

Pryor’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said his client was excited about going in the third round after waiting until last Thursday to find out he’d even be eligible for the supplemental draft and not working out for teams until Saturday.

“We’re tickled and thrilled that Terrelle went in the third round and to the Raiders,” Rosenhaus said. “The third round is quite an accomplishment for a young man who had his pro day 48 hours ago and didn’t know he would be in the draft until Thursday morning and wasn’t able to meet with any decision makers.”

The Raiders used the 18th selection of the third round for Pryor, forfeiting a pick in that round in the 2012 draft.

Pryor immediately headed to the Bay Area after being drafted and Rosenhaus said he hoped to finalize a contract as soon as possible to get Pryor on the practice field. Rosenhaus has already negotiated a third-round deal with the Raiders this summer with rookie cornerback DeMarcus Van Dyke.

“We’re optimistic this will be a smooth negotiation,” he said. “We enjoy working with the Raiders and he’s very excited.”

Pryor will be able to practice immediately after signing and play in the remaining two exhibition games. But he will not be eligible to practice with or play for Oakland during the regular season until the team’s sixth game.

While there has been some speculation that Pryor’s future could come as a receiver or tight end, Raiders coach Hue Jackson said he views Pryor as a quarterback and he will start his career there.

“The guy had a very storied career at Ohio State,” Jackson said. “He can throw it, he can run with it. He’s smart, he’s tough, he’s played in big games. He’s another young athlete that we’ll add to the mix that plays quarterback and we’ll work with him and get this guy to be a good player.”

When he was allowed to enter Monday’s draft, he was handed a five-game suspension by Commissioner Roger Goodell — the same number of games he would have sat out had he returned to Ohio State. Pryor has said he will not appeal the suspension.

Pryor gave up his final season with the Buckeyes after an investigation into the team’s memorabilia-for-cash scandal that cost coach Jim Tressel his job.

His selection by the Raiders hardly is surprising. Oakland often makes bold moves in the draft because owner Al Davis covets size and speed. Pryor ran a 4.36 in the 40 during his workout for 17 NFL teams Saturday. At 6-foot-5 and 232 pounds, he is similar in height to JaMarcus Russell, the LSU quarterback chosen No. 1 overall by the Raiders in the 2007 draft.

But Pryor is much more mobile. As a junior, Pryor had his best season statistically, throwing for 2,772 yards and 27 touchdowns with 11 interceptions. He also ran for 754 yards and four scores while helping the Buckeyes win the Sugar Bowl.

“We all know how Al Davis likes big players who can run and Terrelle brings a dimension of size and speed that’s unique to the quarterback position,” Rosenhaus said. “The Raiders are a good fit for him because they have had an unsettled quarterback situation for a number of years and have worked in a number of different players. Any young quarterback would like the opportunity to go there and compete and be the guy.”

Oakland’s starting quarterback is Jason Campbell, now in his second season with the Raiders after being acquired from Washington, where he spent five seasons. Campbell is in the last year of his contract, as are backups Kyle Boller and Trent Edwards.

The Raiders considered drafting a quarterback to groom for the future in April but did not find the right fit. Now they have Pryor to fill that role.

Pryor said he’s thankful for the opportunity to play in the NFL.

“The type of guy that you’re getting is a competitive guy, a feisty guy that wants to win and will do anything to win,” he told the NFL Network. “Work hard and a person that is just opportunistic. I’m just waiting for an opportunity and when I get it, I’m going to have success.”

Pryor will be joined by a former teammate when he signs with the Raiders. Oakland had drafted cornerback Chimdi Chekwa in the fourth round in April and Chekwa gave Pryor a glowing review.

“He was a guy who can make the throws on the football field,” Chekwa said. “He also has that threat of scrambling and running. When we needed a big play in college, he made that play. When we went against him in practice, first-team offense versus first-team defense, we had to spy him, do different things. He makes you have to account for the quarterback running.”

Oakland is now without picks in the second, third and fourth rounds next year. The Raiders traded the 2012 second-round pick along with a 2011 seventh-round selection for third- and fourth-round picks this past draft to take offensive lineman Joe Barksdale and running back Taiwan Jones. They sent their fourth-round pick a year ago to the Redskins for Campbell.

Oakland could recoup some picks as compensation for losing Nnamdi Asomugha, Zach Miller and Robert Gallery as free agents.

No other players were chosen in the draft. Also eligible were former Georgia running back Caleb King, former Northern Illinois safety Tracy Wilson, former Western Carolina cornerback Torez Jones, former Lindenwood University defensive end Keenan Mace, and former North Carolina defensive end Mike McAdoo.