The Oakland Raiders have stockpiled draft picks the last few years and it is finally paying off this year for Jon Gruden's team.

Gruden has always talked about liking to have a veteran roster and last year they went into the season with the oldest roster in the NFL. After some reshuffling this year they have gotten a lot younger and now have the ninth youngest roster in the league.

A big reason for the change was their three first-round draft picks that include talents like Clelin Ferrell, Josh Jacobs, and Jonathan Abram. They have all provided key contributions this season. Abram is now on injured reserve, but he showed flashes of how good he can become while he was healthy.

When asked about how the Raiders' rookie class has performed, Gruden had nothing but rave reviews to provide. One of the ways that he helps his rookie grows is by not trying to shield them from the game plan.

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“The game plans are very long and extensive. We’re not limiting anything,” Gruden said, via the SF Chronicle. “I think that’s the key for their development. … You’ve got to keep challenging these guys, giving them more and more things to learn and do and experience. And, man, have they responded.”

No matter if they are a first-round draft pick or undrafted rookies, he tries to treat everyone the same, and Gruden believes that has been key in developing players.

“But I’ve always taken pride in developing players no matter who they are — guys that come in Week 10 or guys that come in through the draft. … Just play the best players and coach the guys that have earned the right. That’s kind of the flag we wave here.”

There were some growing pains when Gruden was hired by the Raiders, but the hope is that will pay off in a big way over the next few seasons.