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 Defense, Special Teams please read those to see the full roster
(these may not be live at the time of reading)
* Key Note: At OL/WR, and the defensive edition, I can only select each player ONCE *
Quarterback: Rich Gannon – 2002
Stats: 16 Starts, 67% Comp, 4689 Yards, 26 TD, 10 INT, 7.6 YPA, 293.1 Yards/Game | 50 att, 156 yards, 3 TD
Others Considered: D. Carr (2016), D. Carr (2020), J. George (1997), R. Gannon (2000), R. Gannon (2001), K. Stabler (1976)
- This one was tough, I debated between Carr in 2016 & Gannon in 2002. While Carr had the 12-3 record, and he led in touchdowns & tossed lower interceptions, it was pretty much a runaway from there. Gannon led in every other statistic, including his per stats comparison. In an era where passing the football wasn’t to the same rate it has been this era, Gannon still led the NFL in yards, completion percentage, and yards/game. Additionally, while I don’t factor in team success, Gannon did lead the 2002 Raiders to the Super Bowl, while also earning MVP.
Runningback: Marcus Allen – 1985
Stats: 16 Games, 380 attempts, 1759 yards, 4.6 YPC, 109.9 Yards/Game, 11 TD | 67 rec, 555 yards, 8.3 YPR, 3 TD
Others Considered: J. Jacobs (2022), M. Allen (1984)
- This was really only a competition between Jacobs & Allen, as someone who wasn’t alive pre 2003 I knew Allen’s 1985 season was phenomenal, but I wasn’t aware how elite it was. Allen holds the Raiders all time single season record for rushing attempts, yards, and yards/game. He’s 2nd in single season touchdowns (though it was 1984). Allen is quick, he’s a decisive runner, and adds the clear receiving abilities as well where he also holds the Raiders single season record for receiving yards & receptions from a runningback. This was probably the easiest selection of the entire list.
Fullback: Mark Van Eeghen – 1977
Stats: 14 Games, 324 attempts, 1273 yards, 3.9 YPC, 90.9 Yards/Game, 7 TD | 15 rec, 134 yards
Others Considered: Marv Hubbard (1972, 1973), M. Van Eeghen (1978, 1976)
- I mean this one is pretty clear cut, Eeghen didn’t just impact the game as a receiver and rusher, also adding high end blocking skills. Eegen has the size to play fullback for the Raiders now at 6’2, 225 and while he may not be the same caliber of FB in the NFL now, in terms of rushing due to the modern age, but he’s still able to be a strong runner who could add nearly another 500 to 700 yards behind Allen. Additionally, van Eeghen ended his career as the Raiders 2nd all time leading rusher, and from his 1977 season he ranks 3rd in single season rushes, 4th in yards, 18th in touchdowns, and 3rd in yards/game.
Wide Receiver: Davante Adams – 2022
Stats: 17 Games, 100 rec, 1516 yards, 15.2 yards/rec, 14 TD, 89.2 Yards/Game
Others Considered: N/A
- Adams holds the Raiders single season record for targets, yards, 2nd in touchdowns, 4th in yards/game, and is 6th in receptions. While he saw a ton of volume, and is the first player from the modern era on this roster, it’s basically impossible to leave him off this list. Adams may have some negativity with the Raiders fanbase but his time in Las Vegas rivals that of Tim Brown from 1997-1999 in terms of three year production. Adams is a creative route runner, excels down field, and can slot in as the Raiders Z in this system.
Wide Receiver: Tim Brown – 1994
Stats: 16 Games, 89 rec, 1309 yards, 14.7 yards/rec, 9 TD, 81.8 Yards/Game | 40 PR, 487 yards, 12.1 avg
Others Considered: Tim Brown (1999, 1995, 1997)
- Tim Brown was going to be here, which season was the biggest conversation. His 1997 season was up there for me, but the lower touchdowns, and lower efficiency despite poor QB play was hard to justify over a 1994, 95, or 99 season. His 94 and 95 season were the final two I debated, they are nearly identical production and efficiency wise, but the biggest difference comes on special teams. Brown is a tremendous talent, he’s the clear cut top receiver on this roster, and when paired with those offensively, it’s tough to see a world that he’s not able to cross 2000 career yards so long as the quarterback play remains elite. While Brown won’t be our full time special teams punt returner, with multiple other Raiders having success on that aspect, it’s impossible to not count that into the factor here should this hypothetical team suffer injuries.
Wide Receiver: Art Powell – 1963
Stats: 14 Games, 73 rec, 1304 yards, 17.9 yards/rec, 16 TD, 93.1 Yards/Game
Others Considered: Art Powell (1964), Warren Wells (1969), Jerry Rice (2002), Amari Cooper (2016)
- Art Powell was going to be on this list, just was it 1964 or 1963, while there’s absolutely no idea if that play can translate to the modern NFL, that said it’s not easy to find 6’3, 215 pound receivers who also possess a possible sub 4.4 40, with Powell posting a 10.08 100-meter which would be the fastest among NFL receivers currently. Powell’s 1964 season saw him log more receptions & yards, but his 1963 season was far more efficient, explosive, and overall impactful. Powell is our true downfield threat, his size and speed is nearly unmatched among NFL DB’s (except say Nick Emmanwori or Kyle Hamilton). Powell’s 1963 season features the Raiders second highest yards/reception in team history, only too Warren Wells just 6 years later at 27 yards a reception.
Tight End: Todd Christensen – 1983
Stats: 16 Games, 92 rec, 1247 yards, 13.6 yards/rec, 12 TD, 77.9 Yards/Game
Others Considered: Brock Bowers (2024), Darren Waller (2020), Todd Christensen (1986)
- It came down to 2024 Bowers, 2020 Waller, & 83 Christensen, though I landed on Christensen at the end of the day. He holds the Raiders single season record by a TE for yards, yards/reception, and touchdowns while ranking third or lower in receptions and targets. Darren Waller put up a strong consideration for this, though the lack of blocking on Waller’s and Bowers part does play a bigger role than I’d like to admit. Christensen is an elite blocker, functioned well as a receiver, and his massive frame gives him the ability to be a go-to weapon in the redzone, 4th downs, or contested catches. When in two tightend sets, Bowers will be our second tight end which helps to create elite mismatches.
Left Tackle: Art Shell – 1976
Stats: N/A
Others Considered: Kolton Miller (2021), Art Shell (1997, 1974, 1978)
- This was a rather simple selection, Shell was the anchor of a Raiders 1976 offensive line that saw the team go on to win the Super Bowl, and they also ranked nearly top 10 in every recorded statistical stat offensively. Shell famously turned in one of, if not the best, super bowl performances by an offensive tackle against the Vikings. Shell was named a Pro Bowler, and 2nd team All-Pro. You can really take your pick here of almost any season from Art Shell, or if you prefer the modern approach 2021’s Kolton Miller. Shell was also a standout run blocker for Las Vegas, and with the talent in the backfield, that must be considered.
Left Guard: Gene Upshaw – 1974
Stats: N/A
Others Considered: Kelechi Osemele (2016), Gene Upshaw (1969)
- This was a massive battle, and 2016 Kelechi Osemele is someone who doesn’t get enough credit. Osemele ranked 1st in the NFL for yards/carry when lead blocking, allowed just a 0.8% pressure rate, and was a pivotal member of the Raiders offensive line that led the NFL in sacks allowed. Additionally, Steve Wisnewski puts up a tough fight, but ultimately I land with 1974’s Gene Upshaw. The first team All-Pro, was a standout, elite run blocker at the NFL level after the AFL merger, and overall with the rest of the offensive line continues the trend and tendency that is being established with hard nose, run first lineman.
Center: Jim Otto – 1967
Stats: N/A
Others Considered: Jim Otto (basically his entire career), Rodney Hudson (2019, 2018)
- There’s one concern here picking Otto, and that’s just how a 6’2/260 pound center is going to adjust to the NFL at this day and age, though I’m not going to overthink this (if that’s an issue for you just take Hudson in 2018 or 19 here). There’s no pass protection metrics back in 1963, to no surprise, but the Raider did lead the league in points, points per game, rushing yards, rushing yards/game, and many other stats. The 12x Pro Bowler and 10x All-Pro is one of the best centers in NFL history, plus the double zero at center in the modern NFL would just look natural.
Right Guard: Steve Wisnewski – 2000
Stats: N/A
Others Considered: Steve Wisnewski (1990 to 1997), Mickey Marvin (1980, 1982), Gabe Jackson (2016, 2020), George Buehler (1971, 1997), Wayne Hawkins (1963, 1964, 1966, 1967)
- Want to talk about a difficult selection, look no further. I may be cheating this one a bit, and if that’s an issue you can likely select one of the 1996 or 1997 seasons from Wayne Hawkins. Despite that, Wisnewski did spend his first two seasons at RG, and then shifted to the left side, which leads me to believe he can plug and play on the right side again. The next hard part, came with what season of his to select, Wisnewski, who should be a Hall of Famer, has arguably one of the best OL seasons of all time in 2000. His average value, a trait used to determine player value (similar to MLB WAR) was an astounding 17 in 2000 the 3rd highest all time by an offensive lineman. Wisnewski finished the 2000 season as an All-Pro, Pro-Bowler, and saw the Raiders offense rank nearly top 10 in every statistic offensively.
Right Tackle: Bob Brown, 1971
Stats:
Others Considered: Lincoln Kennedy (2002)
- I had to pick the Boomer, Kennedy may be the better pick overall, but Brown is just a fun tackle. A nasty, violent, physical player Brown would be an excellent addition on the right side to anchor the Raiders run game. Brown saw his 6th Pro Bowl though he missed an All-Pro honor, wrongfully. Brown was violent, he pairs to the mindset the Raiders are building in this roster, and he rejoins Art Shell to form one of the best, tackle duos in NFL history.
