This roster isn’t build off who would give the Raiders the best possible roster on the field, but specifically on a year to year basis. For example, while Davante Adams isn’t the best Raiders receiver of all time, his 2022 season certainly is among the best, if not the best, in Raiders history. Additionally, no factor of awards, all-pro, pro-bowl, or team success is factored into this; just the simple baseline season regardless if said player won the Super Bowl, MVP, or the team finished the year 0-16
(they didn’t but you get the point). The goal of this article is NOT outlining the best Raiders of all time, it’s to simply showcase what I believe, in my opinion are some of the best Raiders seasons of all time.
If you have not read the Offense, Special Teams please read those to see the full roster
(these may not be live at the time of reading)
* Key Note: I can only select each player ONCE, there’s no duplicate players*
EDGE Rusher: Greg Townsend – 1991
Stats: 16 Games, 55 tackles, 13 sacks, 3 FF, FR, INT est. 16 TFL
Others Considered: Greg Townsend (1990, 1986, 1988), Maxx Crosby (2022, 2023), Ben Davidson (1968, 1970)
- This was a tough one between Townsend, Long, and Crosby. Townsend’s 1991 season may be the best of his career with the Raiders. The NFL didn’t track TFL, but he’s estimated to be between 14 and 19 TFL on the season by historians, and he was an instant impact player for the Raiders as he was for the majority of his career. Townsend’ average value, which is used to indicate player value similar to MLB’s WAR, was 15 on the season. For reference, Myles Garrett logged a 25 value in 2025 breaking the NFL sack record. Townsend is an excellent run defender, did well vs the pass, and he was able to work across the defensive line which will benefit the entire defense.
Defensive Tackle: Darrell Russell – 1998
Stats: 16 Games, 65 tackles, 10 sacks, 3 FF, est 18 TFL, 5 PBU
Others Considered: Darrell Russell (1999), Chester McGlockton (1994-1996), Ben Davidson (1967), Roderick Coleman (2004), Richard Seymour (2011)
- The NFL didn’t track PBU and TFL for the first two seasons of Russell’s career but his 15 TFL in 1999 and historians estimate about 16-19 TFL in 1998. Additionally, his average value is set at 19. The Raiders DL was built around Russell in 1998, he was a phenomenal athlete, was a 2x Pro Bowler, and 1x All-Pro. Russell defended the run at an exceptional level, was a violent pass rusher, and is likely one of the most athletic defensive tackles in NFL history, even today. This was a very tough slot to pick just two, but the dual ability of Russell to play the run and pass, across the defensive line including at true zero is immense.
Defensive Tackle: Bill Pickel -1986
Stats: 75 tackles, 11.6 sacks, FF, 2 FR
Others Considered: Bill Pickel (1984, 1985), Tommy Kelly (2010, 2011), Ike Lassiter (1967, 1969)
- Pickel is a tough player to evaluate, he was primarily a 3-4 end for the Raiders back in the 80s, but he’s one of the better defensive lineman the Raiders have had in their history. While undersized at 270 pounds, he was a phenomenal athlete, and would translate well. 1986 capped off the final of three straight seasons where he logged 11+ sacks, before never recording more than 5 for the rest of his career, with just 13.5 from 1987-1994. I wanted to really pick Chester McGlockton in 1996 here, but I leaned Pickel. The Raiders historically have been phenomenal on the interior defensive line, hopefully something they can get back too.
EDGE Rusher: Khalil Mack – 2016
Stats: 74 tackles, 14 TFL, 28 QB hits, 11 sacks, INT, TD, 4 PBU, 6 FF, 101 pressures, 19.8% pass rush win rate
Others Considered: Khalil Mack (2015), Howie Long (1983-1985), Derrick Burgess (2005), Anthony Smith (1991-1994)
- Mack’2 2015 and 2016 are tight, he logged more acks, tackles, & TFL in 2015 but his pressures, QB hits, and remaining stats are far lower than that of his 2016 season where he did win Defensive Player of the Year. Not factoring in his personal success, Mack is an elite pass rusher, and the Raiders superstar has remained that into this point of his career. 2016 Mack was dominant vs the pass and as a run defender, which across from Townsend gives the Raiders a lethal pass rush duo. When Las Vegas looks to rotate out defenders taking on 2023 Maxx Crosby, and then one of the others at your pick, likely Howie Long, gives a dominant non stop pass rush rotation.
Linebacker: Rod Martin – 1984
Stats: 11 sacks, safety, 2 INT, TD,3 FF, FR est 130 tackles
Others Considered: Rod Martin (1980, 1981, 1983), Dan Connors (1967-1969), Gerald Irons (1973)
- Martin has a history of working as a pass rusher, inside linebacker, and mainly at weakside. He’s an elite pass rushing/blitz threat at linebacker, but works well in coverage and against the run. Martin turned in an exceptional career, and his 17 average value in 1984 is just behind Hendricks in 1980. When watching Nakobe Dean, he reminds me a lot of Rod Martin for what Las Vegas is trying to implment on the defense.
Linebacker: Ted Hendricks – 1980
Stats: est 101 tackles, 14 TFL 8.5 sacks, 6 FF, 3 INT, safety
Others Considered: Ted Hendricks (1982), Kirk Morrison (2006-2009), Robert Spillane (2023-2024)
- While his 1980 season wasn’t close to his 1974 & 1971 seasons with the Packers, where he was elite and arguably had two of the most statistically impressive and dominant seasons in NFL history. Hendricks was an elite coverage, run defender, and was elite on special teams. A dominant frame, Hendricks truly was an anomaly in the NFL during his era. Hendricks likely would still play at a high level in the NFL this season. The Raiders historically have had decent linebacker play, but Hendricks is the standard and that’s hard to beat.
Linebacker: Phil Villapiano – 1973
Stats: sack, INT, 3 FR, 3 FF est 101 tackles
Others Considered: Phil Villapiano (1975), Matt Millen (1988), Greg Biekert (1998-2001)
- Villapiano is widely considered among the Raiders top linebackers of all time, and for good reason. He’s been productive, is a great coverage player, and he defended the run well throughout his career. Every team needs a thumping middle linebacker to pair with their anomaly of Ted Hendricks & pass rush/coverage threat in Rod Martin. Villapiano plays violent, and he plays physical especially vs the run which is what the Raiders in this scenario would be looking for.
Cornerback: Willie Brown – 1973
Stats: 14 Games, 3 INT, est 21 PBU
Others Considered: Willie Brown (1964-1972), Kent McCloughan (1996, 1967), Terry McDaniels (1992, 1994-1996), NNamdi Asomugha (2006, 2008-2010)
- The NFL didn’t track PBU during Willie Brown’s time, nor tackles, or many of the stats currently around. Brown was an excellent cornerback for the Raiders, he’s was easily a hall of fame talent, and sadly it took too long. Brown is physical, a true ball-hawk, and provides excellent coverage technique, ball skills, and would take away half the field by himself. Brown may not even be the best Raiders CB of all time, but it is exceptionally hard to say that the 1973 season wasn’t the best by a Raiders DB, or possibly defender, ever especially with his 22 added value.
Cornerback: Lester Hayes – 1980
Stats: 13 INT, TD, FF, FR, sack, est 25 PBU
Others Considered: Lester Hayes (1978-1984), Fred Williamson (1962, 1963), Casey Hayward (2021)
- I said Willie Brown may have had the best ever Raiders CB season, that can be rivaled heavily by the next two seasons. Hayes is 2nd all time in single season interceptions at 13, with Night Train Lane’s 14 leading the way. Hayes was physical, he has the ability to lockdown receivers, work the boundary, and showed excellent ball skills. A should be hall of famer, Hayes would pair exceptionally well with Brown, and soon to be mentioned Charles Woodson, giving them likely the greatest cornerback trio in NFL history.
Cornerback: Charles Woodson – 1999
Stats: 61 tackles, 7 TFL, 18 PBU, 5 INT, 2 FF
Others Considered: Dave Grayson (1964-1965), Mike Haynes (1984, 1985)
- Man this one was tough, I debated Terry McDaniels, Nnamdi Asomugha, Grayson, and Haynes. Haynes turned in 6 INT, a touchdown, and 2 FF in 1984 before 4 INT in 1985. Additionally, Dave Grayson was a tough debate but his end of career move to FS became one that solved the problem it created. Woodson’s 1998 rookie season wasn’t his best but it was most likely the best one he had with the Raiders. Woodson turned in an excellent 1999 season as well, but it’s almost impossible to say his rookie year wasn’t his best. The 22 year old turned in a Pro Bowl honor, rookie of the year, and also some defensive player of the year talk. Woodson was excellent, he was excellent across the secondary, was able to play the run at a high level, showed excellent ball skills (especially with the Packers), and overall was simply shut down. The Raiders cornerback trio would be dominant, and likely cause problems to every teams offense.
Free Safety: Dave Grayson – 1968
Stats: 10 INT, 2 TD, FR, sack
Others Considered: Jack Tatum (1973-1975), George Atkinson (1968-1975)
- I really debated Ronnie Lott, Tatum, and Atkinson but the ability to turn in double digit interceptions is hard for me to deny and not pay attention too. Grayson had an elite 1968 season after transitioning to free safety for his final four seasons. Grayson showed great ball skills, he was a good tackler, and his ability to play sideline to sideline will pair well with Woodson, and the Raiders cornerbacks.
Strong Safety: Rod Woodson – 2002
Stats: 82 tackles, 8 INT, 2 TD, 16 PBU, 3 FR
Others Considered: Ronnie Lott (1991), Vann McElroy (1983), Charles Woodson (2015)
- Woodson isn’t known for being a Raider, but he did end his career in Oakland, and he had an amazing season in Oakland as well despite it not even being top 5 in his career (just the elite level of his career). Woodson, even at 37 showed good ball skills, sideline to sideline movement, and he tackled well consistently. His 8 interceptions led the NFL, he added two more TD to his NFL record 12 defensive interception touchdowns, and Woodson was an elite rangy safety that locked down the entire backend of the Raiders secondary. Woodson when paired with the other Woodson, Hayes, and Brown forms a secondary capable of over 30 interceptions. While Woodson may have a bad taste at times in Raiders fans minds, he still was dominant and it’s hard to deny how well his 2002 season was.
