Greatest Raiders Football Players of All Time in the NFL
There’s a new era of Raiders football in the NFL, which means it’s time to examine the previous ones.
The Oakland Raiders have officially become the Las Vegas Raiders. Though the Raiders left Oakland behind for the second time, just as they left Los Angeles in 1994, they have an exceptional roster of former players that boosted the club to five Super Bowl appearances and three championships.
Al Davis is the undisputed owner of the all-time Raiders team, even if he doesn’t appear in the lineup. Because this collection of silver and black pirates would definitely "Just Win, Baby."
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Quarterback: Ken Stabler
Experience: 15 seasons (1970-84)
Years with Raiders: 10 seasons (1970-79)
Career stats: 184 G, 146 GS, 96-49-1 record, 27,938 YDS, 59.8 CMP%, 194 TD, 222 INT, 4 Pro Bowls, 1974 NFL MVP
Raiders stats: 130 G, 96 GS, 69-26-1 record, 19,078 YDS, 59.9 CMP%, 150 TD, 143 INT, 4 Pro Bowls, 1974 NFL MVP
Super Bowl titles: 1 (1976)
Bottom Line: Ken Stabler
The Raiders were rebels, and Ken Stabler was born to be their leader. "The Snake" ran John Madden's offense, and that is a big reason why the Raiders had so much success.
Stabler took over for Daryle Lamonica and became the greatest quarterback in team history. He was efficient for his day, particularly in the 1976 run to Oakland’s Super Bowl, where he completed 61.2 percent of his throws and had a 4/0 touchdown/interception ratio.
Stabler was posthumously elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2016.
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Running Back: Marcus Allen
Experience: 16 seasons (1982-97)
Years with Raiders: 11 seasons (1982-92)
Career stats: 222 G, 12,243 RUSH YDS, 123 RUSH TD, 5,411 REC YDS, 21 REC TD, 6 Pro Bowls, 1985 NFL MVP
Raiders stats: 145 G, 8,545 RUSH YDS, 79 RUSH TD, 4,258 REC YDS, 18 REC TD, 5 Pro Bowls, 1985 NFL MVP
Super Bowl titles: 1 (1983)
Bottom Line: Marcus Allen
Marcus Allen, simply, is one of the greatest running backs of all time and spent his heyday with the Los Angeles Raiders.
Allen also had 1,347 rushing yards in 16 career playoff games, including 466 in the 1984 postseason and 191 in Super Bowl XVIII while the Raiders won the championship.
He should have finished his career with the Raiders, and would have, if not for Al Davis' meddling and Bo Jackson’s emergence.
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Wide Receiver: Tim Brown
Experience: 17 seasons (1988-2004)
Years with Raiders: 16 seasons (1988-2003)
Career stats: 255 G, 1,094 REC, 14,934 YDS, 100 REC TD, 1 RUSH TD, 9 Pro Bowls
Raiders stats: 240 G, 1,070 REC, 14,734 YDS, 99 REC TD, 1 RUSH TD, 9 Pro Bowls
Super Bowl titles: 0
Bottom Line: Tim Brown
Tim Brown would double as our starting kickoff and punt returner, where he had four career touchdowns (three on punts, one on kickoffs), but would mainly play outside receiver, which he did as one of the best of his day.
While Brown wasn’t flashy, he dominated in college at Notre Dame and won the Heisman Trophy, then became the greatest receiver in Raiders history.
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Wide Receiver: Fred Biletnikoff
Experience: 14 seasons (1965-78), all with Raiders
Career stats: 190 G, 589 REC, 8,974 YDS, 76 REC TD, 6 Pro Bowls
Super Bowl titles: 1 (1976)
Bottom Line: Fred Biletnikoff
Fred Biletnikoff is a Hall of Famer. He first developed a rapport with Daryle Lamonica and then Ken Stabler that became one of the best quarterback-receiver tandems of all time.
Biletnikoff helped the Raiders reach the Super Bowl twice, including after their AFL championship in 1967. They lost that game to the Green Bay Packers, but Biletnikofff was the MVP of Super Bowl XI as the Raiders beat the Minnesota Vikings for the first world championship in franchise history.
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Wide Receiver: Cliff Branch
Experience: 14 seasons (1972-85), all with Raiders
Career stats: 183 G, 501 REC, 8,685 YDS, 67 REC TD, 4 Pro Bowls
Super Bowl titles: 3 (1976, 1980, 1983)
Bottom Line: Cliff Branch
Cliff Branch gets forgotten, as his heyday falls between Tim Brown’s and Fred Biletnikoff’s careers, but Branch is one of the rare Raiders to have three championships to his name.
He played in 22 playoff games and had 1,289 yards and scored five touchdowns, including two in Oakland’s 27-10 win over the Eagles in Super Bowl XV.
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Tight End: Dave Casper
Experience: 13 seasons (1974-84)
Years with Raiders: 8 seasons (1974-80, 1984)
Career stats: 147 G, 5,216 YDS, 52 REC TD, 5 Pro Bowls
Raiders stats: 99 G, 3,294 YDS, 35 REC TD, 4 Pro Bowls
Super Bowl titles: 1 (1976)
Bottom Line: Dave Casper
Dave Casper was a pass-catching weapon who made his career in Oakland, largely with Ken Stabler as the quarterback.
Casper had 10 touchdowns in the 1976 regular season, then had the first in Super Bowl XI.
He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2002.
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Left Tackle: Art Shell
Experience: 15 seasons (1968-82), all with Raiders
Career stats: 207 G, 169 GS, 8 Pro Bowls
Super Bowl titles: 2 (1976, 1980)
Bottom Line: Art Shell
Art Shell and Gene Upshaw (more below) made up a near-unstoppable tandem that helped the Raiders reach the playoffs 11 times in 15 seasons and make three Super Bowls, winning two.
Shell also later coached the Raiders during two tours and won 56 games, the third-most in franchise history.
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Left Guard: Gene Upshaw
Experience: 15 seasons (1967-81), all with Raiders
Career stats: 217 G, 207 GS, 7 Pro Bowls
Super Bowl titles: 2 (1976, 1980)
Bottom Line: Gene Upshaw
The Raiders were blessed with one of the most dominant offensive lines in NFL history, which Gene Upshaw was a huge part of. He and Shell became Hall of Famers, and Upshaw was a five-time All-Pro at guard.
Like Shell, Upshaw had a successful post-playing career and led the National Football League Players' Association as its executive director.
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Center: Jim Otto
Experience: 15 seasons (1960-74), all with Raiders
Career stats: 210 G, 140 GS, 12 Pro Bowls
Super Bowl titles: 0
Bottom Line: Jim Otto
Jim Otto was the anchor for those great Raiders teams and arguably the greatest (and toughest) player in franchise history. He had over 70 operations during his playing days, including 28 on his knee.
He retired right before Oakland started winning championships and only got the 1967 AFL championship.
He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1980.
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Right Guard: Steve Wisniewski
Experience: 13 seasons (1989-2001), all with Raiders
Career stats: 206 G, 206 GS, 8 Pro Bowls
Super Bowl titles: 0
Bottom Line: Steve Wisniewski
Steve Wisniewski had the dubious distinction of being the best player on a lot of really bad Raiders teams, both in Los Angeles and then after they moved back to Oakland in 1994.
Despite starting every game at guard for 13 seasons, he only played in nine playoff games and retired before the Raiders participated in Super Bowl XXVII.
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Right Tackle: Lincoln Kennedy
Experience: 11 seasons (1993-2003)
Years with Raiders: 8 seasons (1996-2003)
Career stats: 169 G, 141 GS, 3 Pro Bowls
Raiders stats: 121 G, 119 GS, 3 Pro Bowls
Super Bowl titles: 0
Bottom Line: Lincoln Kennedy
The Raiders acquired Lincoln Kennedy from the Atlanta Falcons in 1996 for the 140th pick in the 1997 draft. And he became one of the best linemen in Raiders history.
He was named to two All-Pro teams, including 2002 where the Raiders finished 11-5 and reached the Super Bowl.
We’d love him protecting Stabler’s blindside.
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Defensive End: Howie Long
Experience: 13 seasons (1981-93), all with Raiders
Career stats: 179 G, 151 GS, 84 SK, 10 FR, 2 INT, 8 Pro Bowls
Super Bowl titles: 1 (1983)
Bottom Line: Howie Long
Howie Long has been on television for so long as one of the most thoughtful and soft-spoken football commentators that it’s easy to forget he was one of the most dominant defensive players in NFL history.
He harassed quarterbacks throughout his career and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000.
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Defensive Tackle: Chester McGlockton
Experience: 12 seasons
Years with Raiders: 6 seasons (1992-97)
Career stats: 179 G, 558 TK, 51 SK, 10 FR, 4 INT, 4 Pro Bowls
Raiders stats: 90 games, 340 TL, 39.5 SK, 5 FR, 1 INT, 4 Pro Bowls
Super Bowl titles: 0
Bottom Line: Chester McGlockton
Unlike on offense, the Raiders don’t have a robust alumni base of defensive linemen. But Chester McGlockton still could shut down the run and rush the passer.
He was a rare all-down defensive lineman, particularly given he tipped scales at 334 pounds.
Sadly, he died of a heart attack on Nov. 30, 2011, at the age of 42.
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Defensive End: Khalil Mack
Experience: 6 seasons (2014-present)
Years with Raiders: 4 seasons (2014-17)
Career stats: 99 G, 398 TK, 65 SK, 8 FR, 2 INT, 5 Pro Bowls, 2016 NFL Defensive Player of the Year
Raiders stats: 64 G, 304 TK, 40.5 SK, 4 FR, 1 INT, 3 Pro Bowls
Super Bowl titles: 0
Bottom Line: Khalil Mack
Give the Raiders credit for drafting the insanely talented Khalil Mack in the first round (No. 5 overall) out of Buffalo in 2014.
Mack could be the gift that keeps on giving since Oakland traded him to Chicago in 2018 for two first-round picks, including the 24th pick in the 2019 draft (running back Josh Jacobs) and the 19th pick in the 2020 draft (cornerback Damon Arnette).
He would be a monster stalking quarterbacks with Howie Long in the 3-4 defense.
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Outside Linebacker: Ted Hendricks
Experience: 15 seasons (1969-83)
Years with Raiders: 9 seasons (1975-83)
Career stats: 215 G, 9 SK, 16 FR, 26 INT, 8 Pro Bowls
Raiders stats: 131 G, 9 SK, 10 FR, 10 INT, 4 Pro Bowls
Super Bowl titles: 4 (1970, 1976, 1980, 1983)
Bottom Line: Ted Hendricks
Ted Hendricks is one of the greatest linebackers in NFL history.
He was a part of three championship teams with the Raiders after he helped the Baltimore Colts to the title in 1970.
A two-time All-Pro with the Raiders, Hendricks was inducted to the Hall of Fame in 1990.
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Outside Linebacker: Rod Martin
Experience: 12 seasons (1977-88), all with Raiders,
Career stats: 165 G, 996 TK, 70.5 SK, 10 FR, 14 INT, 2 Pro Bowls
Super Bowl titles: 2 (1980, 1983)
Bottom Line: Rod Martin
Rod Martin isn’t widely regarded outside of Raiders history, but he was a linchpin on a pair of championship teams.
He had three interceptions of Ron Jaworski in Super Bowl XV, setting a Super Bowl record that still stands.
We like Martin opposite Hendricks as the weakside, outside linebacker.
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Left Inside Linebacker: Phil Villapiano
Experience: 13 seasons (1971-83)
Years with Raiders: 9 seasons (1971-79)
Career stats: 163 G, 18 FR, 11 INT, 4 Pro Bowls
Raiders stats: 118 G, 17 FR, 11 INT, 4 Pro Bowls
Super Bowl titles: 1 (1976)
Bottom Line: Phil Villapiano
Phil Villapiano hasn’t made it to the Hall of Fame yet, though a petition is online trying to get him there.
But he enjoyed a successful run in the 1970s, both as an inside and outside linebacker at 6-foot-2 and 225 pounds, and helped the Raiders win it all in 1976.
He made the Pro Bowl in four straight seasons between 1973 and 1976.
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Right Inside Linebacker: Matt Millen
Experience: 12 seasons (1980-92)
Years with Raiders: 9 seasons (1980-88)
Career stats: 180 G, 11 SK, 8 FR, 9 INT, 1 Pro Bowls
Raiders stats: 133 G, 11 SK, 4 FR, 7 INT, 1 Pro Bowls
Super Bowl titles: 4 (1980, 1983, 1989, 1991)
Bottom Line: Matt Millen
Matt Millen has been lampooned as a TV analyst and NFL executive so much that it’s easy to forget he was one of the toughest players in NFL history.
Tackle stats weren’t kept at the time, but Millen was the anchor on defense for four championship teams, including two with the Raiders.
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Cornerback: Charles Woodson
Experience: 18 seasons (1998-2015)
Years with Raiders: 11 seasons (1998-05, 2013-15)
Career stats: 254 G, 1,220 TK, 20 SK, 18 FR, 65 INT, 9 Pro Bowls, 2009 NFL Defensive Player of the Year
Raiders stats: 154 G, 753 TK, 8.5 SK, 12 FR, 27 INT, 5 Pro Bowls
Super Bowl titles: 1 (2011)
Bottom Line: Charles Woodson
This list wouldn’t be possible without Charles Woodson, who simply is one of the greatest defensive players in Raiders franchise history.
Oakland drafted him fourth overall in 1998, then brought him back for the final three seasons of his surefire Hall of Fame career.
He was an ambassador for the Raiders throughout his career, which also helps his inclusion to the team.
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Free Safety: Jack Tatum
Experience: 10 seasons (1971-80)
Years with Raiders: 9 seasons (1971-79)
Career stats: 136 G, 37 INT, 10 FR, 3 Pro Bowls
Raiders stats: 120 G, 30 INT, 8 FR, 3 Pro Bowls
Super Bowl titles: 1 (1976)
Bottom Line: Jack Tatum
Jack Tatum was one of the most feared players in NFL history and made going over the middle a nightmare for opposing receivers.
Tatum famously ended Darryl Stingley’s career with a bone-crushing hit, and although we wouldn’t root for the doling out of those hits, football still is a physical game where intimidation reigns.
And few could intimidate like Tatum.
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Strong Safety: George Atkinson
Experience: 11 seasons (1968-79)
Years with Raiders: 10 seasons (1968-77)
Career stats: 150 G, 30 INT, 13 FR, 2 Pro Bowls
Raiders stats: 144 G, 30 INT, 13 FR, 2 Pro Bowls
Super Bowl titles: 1 (1976)
Bottom Line: George Atkinson
George Atkinson was a seventh-round pick who became a two-time all-star and second-team All-AFL in 1969.
Atkinson also was a weapon as a returner, which he could do for this all-time team, but he also was a ball hawk that forced 12 fumbles and scored four touchdowns in his decade-long tour with the Raiders.
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Cornerback: Willie Brown
Experience: 16 seasons (1963-78)
Years with Raiders: 12 seasons (1967-78)
Career stats: 204 G, 54 INT, 4 FR, 9 Pro Bowls
Raiders stats: 154 G, 39 INT, 4 FR, 7 Pro Bowls
Super Bowl titles: 1 (1976)
Bottom Line: Willie Brown
With all due respect to Nnamdi Asomugha, Willie Brown deserves to be the other corner on this team.
Brown was a five-time All-Pro, whose 75-yard interception return for a touchdown sealed the Raiders’ first NFL championship in Super Bowl XI.
He was inducted to the Hall of Fame in 1984.
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Kicker: Sebastian Janikowski
Experience: 18 seasons (2000-18)
Years with Raiders: 17 seasons (2000-16)
Career stats: 284 G, 1,913 PTS, 436 FGM, 605 XPM, 80.4 FG%, 98.5 XP%
Raiders stats: 268 G, 1,799 PTS, 414 FGM, 557 XPM, 80.4 FG%, 98.9 XP%
Super Bowl titles: 0
Bottom Line: Sebastian Janikowski
Al Davis famously spent a first-round draft pick on "Seabass," and the 6-foot-1, 260-pound Sebastian Janikowski made him look smart.
Janikowski is the highest scorer in Raiders history. He endured an up-and-down tenure with Oakland, but never got to kick the Raiders to a championship.
He earns the nod ahead of George Blanda, who also garnered consideration.
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Punter: Ray Guy
Experience: 14 seasons (1973-86), all with Raiders
Career stats: 207 G, 1,049 P, 42.7 Y/P, 7 Pro Bowls
Super Bowl titles: 3 (1976, 1980, 1983)
Bottom Line: Ray Guy
With all due respect to Shane Lechler, Ray Guy was the first punter inducted to the Hall of Fame, and he spent his whole career with the Raiders.
Guy punted in 22 playoff games and three Super Bowls for Oakland/Los Angeles, helping the Raiders win all three of them.
He even has an award named for him, the Ray Guy Award, which is given annually to the best collegiate punter.
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Coach: John Madden
Experience: 10 seasons, all with Raiders
Games: 142
Record: 103-32-7 (.759)
Super Bowl titles: 1 (1976)
Bottom Line: John Madden
There’s a reason John Madden has his name on that video game. The longtime Raiders coach boasts the highest win percentage of NFL coach with at least 100 games, topping Vince Lombardi, Bill Belichick and Don Shula.
Madden never finished with a sub-.500 season and had a career .563 winning percentage in the postseason, winning nine of 16 playoff games.
He was an assistant under John Rauch during Oakland’s first AFL championship in 1967, then the head coach of its first Super Bowl win over the Minnesota Vikings less than a decade later.
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