Raiders 2000s All-Quarter Century Team, final results are in

All the polls are complete as we finally have a full squad for the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders 2000s All-Quarter Century Team. Over the past month, you’ve been casting your votes, and the Silver and Black Pride Community has spoken!

Below is a look at the full team/the winners of each poll, and the accomplishments that helped every player earn their bid.

Quarterback: Rich Gannon

Gannon won convincingly over Derek Carr, earning 76 percent of the vote.

Raiders Stats: 62.6% completion percentage, 17,585 passing yards, 114 passing TDs,

50 INTs, 1,258 rushing yards, 11 rushing touchdowns (6 seasons, 74 games)

Accolades: MVP (2002), 2x First-Team All-Pro (2000, 2002), 4x Pro Bowl (1999-2002)

In a way, Gannon embodied what it means to be a Raider. He was castaway by three other teams before joining the Silver and Black, and was on his last legs in the NFL when he headed to Oakland. Despite that, Gannon became the franchise’s most decorated quarterback of the last 25 years with the accolades mentioned above, and he led the organization to its most recent Super Bowl appearance. Granted, one of the Pro Bowl campaigns came outside of the 2000s, but the former MVP’s resume is pretty strong even without that All-Star appearance.

Running Back: Josh Jacobs

Jacobs also received 76 percent of the votes, but even more impressively, he did it against two contenders: Tyrone Wheatley (15%) and Darren McFadden (9%).

Raiders Stats: 5,545 rushing yards (4.2 ypc), 46 rushing TDs, 197 catches, 1,448 receiving yards, 0 receiving TDs (5 seasons, 73 games)

Accolades: 2x Pro Bowl (2020, 2022), First-Team All-Pro (2022), NFL Leading Rusher (2022)

Gruden and then-general manager Mike Mayock became known for completely whiffing on first-round picks during their tenure in Oakland and Las Vegas, but Jacobs wasn’t one of them. The 2019 No. 24 overall pick hit the ground running with a 1,150-yard campaign as a rookie, finishing second to Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray in the Offensive Rookie of the Year voting. Jacobs managed to eclipse 1,000 rushing yards in three out of five seasons with the Silver and Black, including a 1,653-yard performance in 2022 that is the second-best single-season performance by a running back in franchise history. He also helped the team earn a playoff spot in 2021 and left as the organization’s third-leading rusher of all time.

Fullback: Marcel Reece

Fullback was a little closer as Reece won at 61 percent, while Zack Crockett (36%) was in second and Alec Ingold (3%) came in third.

Raiders Stats: 2,859 total yards from scrimmage, 15 total touchdowns, 134 first downs (8 seasons, 96 games)

Accolades: 3x Pro Bowl (2012-2014), Second-Team All-Pro (2013)

As a converted college wide receiver, it makes sense why Reece had more than double the amount of receiving yards (2,088) as rushing yards (844) during his tenure with the Silver and Black. In a way, he helped change the way the fullback position was used across the league by getting more involved in the passing game, rather than just being a pass protector and occasional check-down option. While Reece didn’t make any postseason appearances with the Raiders, he was one of the team’s few Pro Bowlers and consistent players from the early 2010s.

Wide Receivers: Tim Brown, Jerry Rice

A couple of teammates and Hall of Famers are catching passes on the hypothetical team, as Tim Brown dominated the WR1 poll with 91 percent of the vote, and Jerry Rice (57%) edged out Amari Cooper (15%), Michael Crabtree (15%) and Jerry Porter (13%).

Brown:

Raiders Stats (2000-2003): 300 catches, 3,790 yards, 24 TDs (4 seasons, 64 games)

Accolades (2000-2003): Pro Bowl (2001)

For clarity, Brown is the franchise leader in every major statistical category among Raiders receivers, racking up 1,070 catches, 14,734 yards and 99 touchdowns during his 16 seasons. However, we’re focusing on what each player has done in the last quarter century. But even if we just took his production since 2000, he’d rank sixth in receptions, ninth in yards and tied for 15th in touchdowns all-time. Mr. Raider was also a key fixture in Oakland’s offense during the team’s three consecutive playoff runs from 2000 to 2002.

Rice:

Raiders Stats: 243 catches, 3,286 yards, 18 TDs (4 seasons, 54 games)

Accolades: Pro Bowl and Second-Team All-Pro (2002)

While he gained more notoriety for his work across the Bay, Rice’s tenure with the Raiders in the early 2000s was also impressive. At 39 and 40 years old, he still managed to have consecutive 1,000-yard campaigns and ranks 14th in franchise history for receiving yards despite playing just three and a half seasons with the club. The G.O.A.T. receiver also had postseason success in Oakland, adding another 27 catches, 434 yards and three touchdowns in five playoff games to his silver and black stat line.

Tight End: Brock Bowers

The best rookie season from a tight end in NFL history was enough for Bowers (64%) to earn the nod over Darren Waller (26%) and Zach Miller (10%).

Raiders Stats: 112 catches, 1,194 yards, 5 TDs

Accolades: Pro Bowl and First-Team All-Pro (2024)

While Bowers has only played one season for the Silver and Black, it was a pretty good one. The best of any rookie tight end in NFL history, in fact. Not only did the 2024 first-round pick set franchise records, but he also surpassed Mike Ditka for the most receiving yards among first-year players at the position, a record that stood for over 60 years, and Puka Nacua’s rookie receptions record regardless of position. That has elevated Bowers into the discussion as the NFL’s top tight end just one year into his career. And if we’re voting based on accomplishments, the Georgia product takes the cake as the only first-team All-Pro listed here, and he was second in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting last season.

Left Tackle: Donald Penn

In a tight battle, Penn won with 55 percent of the votes over Kolton Miller (31%) and Barry Sims (14%).

Raiders Stats: 66 games, 66 starts (5 seasons), 3 receptions, 7 yards, 2 TDs

Accolades: 2x Pro Bowl (2016-2017)

After spending the first seven years of his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Penn headed to Oakland in 2014. He was a consistent blindside protector for Derek Carr and anchored one of the franchise’s best offensive lines over the last 25 years in 2016. That campaign was also the best performance of Penn’s career, finishing with the second-highest Pro Football Focus grade (90.0) among offensive tackles. That led to the first of his two Pro Bowl selections with the Silver and Black. Despite playing with the Buccaneers longer, Penn opted to sign a one-day contract to retire as a Raider in 2021.

Left Guard: Steve Wisniewski

Another tough one in the trenches, Wisniewski received 59 percent of the votes while Kelechi Osemele (38%) finished in second and Robert Gallery (3%) was in third.

Raiders Stats (2000-2001): 32 games, 32 starts (2 seasons)

Accolades: Pro Bowl, Second-Team All-Pro (2000)

If the decision between these three guards were based on career accomplishments, the eight-time Pro Bowler and All-Pro (two first-team and six second-team) would win in a landslide. However, we’re focusing on the 2000s, which was the end of Wisniewski’s career. Still, he managed to make an appearance in the NFL’s All-Star game at 33 years old and went two for two in guiding the Raiders to the playoffs after the turn of the century. In 2000, the Silver and Black had the No. 3 offense and best rushing attack in the league, with him paving the way.

Center: Rodney Hudson

This one was easy; Hudson won with 81 percent, Barret Robbins (13%) was second and Stefen Wisniewski (6%) was third.

Raiders Stats: 92 games, 92 starts

Accolades: 3x Pro Bowl (2016, 2017, 2019), Second-Team All-Pro (2019)

Originally a second-round pick by the Kansas City Chiefs, Hudson quickly won Raider Nation over when he switched sides of the AFC West rivalry. He was a steadying presence for a young and ascending 2015 team and was a major factor in the 2016 squad that ended the long playoff drought and had arguably the franchise’s best offensive line over the last 25 years. Hudson became known as one of the NFL’s best centers in pass protection during his tenure with the club, never allowing more than 11 pressures in a season, per PFF, and giving up just three sacks in six years to earn elite pass-blocking grades every year.

Right Guard: Gabe Jackson

The 2016 offensive line is well-represented. Gabe Jackson (89%) won the right guard spot convincingly, beating Frank Middleton (8%) and Cooper Carlisle (3%).

Raiders Stats: 100 games, 99 starts (7 seasons)

Accolades: none

While Jackson never received any individual postseason recognition, his tenure with the Silver and Black was certainly memorable. The 2014 third-round pick was part of one of the best draft classes in franchise history, and he proved to be very reliable in pass protection. Per PFF, he surrendered one or zero sacks in five out of seven seasons with the Raiders. Additionally, Jackson was a key member of the highly-regarded 2016 offensive line, moving from left guard to the right side to make way for Kelechi Osemele. That also means the Mississippi State product was a key player on the team that ended the Raiders’ playoff drought.

Right Tackle: Lincoln Kennedy

Deservingly so, Kennedy had the most dominant victory with over 99 percent of the votes while Langston Walker and Jermaine Eluemunor combined for seven total votes.

Raiders Stats (2000-2003): 58 games, 56 starts (4 seasons)

Accolades: 3x Pro Bowl (2000-2002), First-Team All-Pro (2002), Second-Team All-Pro (2001)

After being selected as a first-round pick and struggling to hold down a starting spot with the Atlanta Falcons, Kennedy was traded to the Raiders in 1996 for a fifth-round pick, and that ended up being a steal. He’s widely considered one of the franchise’s best offensive linemen in the 2000s, making three consecutive Pro Bowl rosters and earning back-to-back All-Pro bids at the turn of the century. Additionally, Kennedy was a key member of the Raiders’ three playoff teams from 2000 to 2002, all of which had top-five NFL offenses.

Defensive Ends: Maxx Crosby, Khalil Mack

Crosby won the first spot by getting 73 percent of the votes, while Mack earned the second spot with 85 percent, beating out Derrick Burgess (14%) and Bruce Irvin (1%).

Crosby:

Raiders Stats: 59.5 sacks, 366 tackles, 105 TFLs, 9 FFs (95 games, 6 seasons)

Accolades: 4x Pro Bowl (2021-2024), 2x Second-Team All-Pro (2021, 2023)

With a good portion of his career still in front of him, Crosby has a chance to be the best defensive player in franchise history when it’s all said and done. The 2019 fourth-round pick exceeded expectations as a rookie with a 10-sack campaign, finishing in second place for DROY. He’s had at least seven sacks in every season and has recorded double-digit TFLs every year, including ‘22 and ‘23, when he led the league in the metric with 22 and 23, respectively. On that note, he’s already the franchise leader in TFLs* and no one else is close, as he’s posted 37 more than Mack. While Crosby currently ranks fifth in sacks, he’ll move up to third place if he gets to the quarterback three times this upcoming season. Unfortunately, the Silver and Black have only made one playoff appearance during the Eastern Michigan product’s tenure. However, he’s still managed to gain respect as one of the best players at his position in the entire league over the last four years.

Mack:

Raiders Stats: 40.5 sacks, 304 tackles, 68 TFLs, 9 FFs (64 games, 4 seasons)

Accolades: 3x Pro Bowl (2015-2017), 2x First-Team All-Pro (2015, 2016), Defensive Player of the Year (2016)

The 2014 No. 5 overall pick will likely be a Hall of Famer, and his career got off to a hot start with the Raiders. Mack split time between lining up on the edge and at off-ball linebacker as a rookie, collecting just four sacks but 16 TFLs to finish in third place for the Defensive Rookie of the Year voting. The following season, he exploded with 15 sacks and 23 TFLs while delivering a historic performance on the road against the Denver Broncos, where he tied a franchise record with five sacks in the game and almost single-handedly beat the eventual Super Bowl Champions. As a result, he became the first player in NFL history to be named a first-team All-Pro at two different positions in the same season. In 2016, Mack was an integral part of the team that ended the Raiders’ long playoff drought, recording 11 sacks, 14 TFLs, five forced fumbles and a pick-six to become the league’s DPOY. Additionally, he ranks second in franchise history for TFLs*, is tied for eighth in forced fumbles and is one of two Raiders to be named the NFL’s DPOY.

*TFLs didn’t become an official NFL statistic until 1999.

Defensive Tackles: Richard Seymour, Tommy Kelly

Seymour (50.3%) narrowly edged Tommy Kelly (40.1%) and Roderick Coleman (9.7%) for the first spot, while Kelly took home the second spot with a commanding 72.1 percent of the votes over Coleman (11.6%) and Warren Sapp (16.3%).

Seymour:

Raiders Stats: 139 tackles, 18.5 sacks, 27 TFLs (4 seasons, 53 games)

Accolades: 2x Pro Bowler (2010, 2011), Second-Team All-Pro (2011), Pro Football Hall of Fame

Teammates with Kelly from 2009 to 2012, Seymour was also a good player on a lot of bad teams. The former Patriot spent the majority of his career and had his best years in New England, playing with the Raiders at the end of his tenure in the NFL. But Seymour was a fantastic leader and had several productive seasons in Oakland, ranking tied for 12th for the most TFLs* in franchise history. Additionally, he is part of Tom Brady’s investment group and became one of the organization’s minority owners last year, while also serving as an advisor and ambassador for the Raiders.

*TFLs didn’t become an official NFL statistic until 1999.

Kelly:

Raiders Stats: 423 tackles, 34.5 sacks, 45 TFLs (9 seasons, 129 games)

Accolades: none

Like many other players featured in the All-2000s series, Kelly falls into the category of being a good player on a lot of bad teams. While he never played in a playoff game for the Raiders, he trails only Maxx Crosby and Khalil Mack for the most TFLs* in franchise history, making Kelly the leader among defensive tackles. Additionally, he ranks 18th in sacks. The 2004 undrafted free agent is one of the Silver and Black’s best players from a dark period for the organization.

Linebackers: Kirk Morrison, Greg Biekert

Morrison won the first poll convincingly, while Biekert pulled off an upset with 60.7 percent of the votes over Thomas Howard (23.5%) and Robert Spillane (15.8%) in the second poll.

Morrison:

Raiders Stats: 636 tackles (500 solo), 41 TFLs, 5 sacks, 7 INTs, 19 PDs, 6 FFs (5 seasons, 80 games)

Accolades: none

Born and raised in Oakland, the Bishop O’Dowd High School alumnus was destined to be a Raider and had a strong career with the organization. Morrison managed to record triple-digit tackles in all five seasons with the Silver and Black, topping out at 137 in 2008. He also had three years with 10 or more TFLs, and turned in an impressive campaign coverage-wise in ‘07 by recording four interceptions and 10 passes defended. Morrison currently ranks fourth all-time and first among linebackers in franchise history for TFLs*, and is also fourth in solo tackles**, per Pro Football Reference.

Biekert:

Raiders Stats (2000-2001): 242 tackles (151 solo), 15 TFLs, 5 sacks, 7 PDs (2 seasons, 32 games)

Accolades: none

A seventh-round pick in 1993, the majority of Biekert’s nine-year career with the Silver and Black occurred in the ‘90s, including his best seasons. However, he did have a couple of quality performances in ‘00 and ‘01. He eclipsed triple digits in tackles during those two campaigns, while tacking on an additional 35 tackles in four playoff games. Biekert was at the center of the 2000 defense that ranked ninth in points allowed and helped the Raiders earn the No. 2 seed in the AFC for the playoffs.

*TFLs didn’t become an official NFL statistic until 1999.

**PFR states that solo tackles are “unofficial and inconsistently recorded”, adding ambiguity to the franchise rankings.

Cornerbacks: Charles Woodson (2000-2005), Nnamdi Asomugha, Eric Allen

Woodson’s first stint with the Raiders was enough to win the first cornerback poll, while Nnamdi Asomugha (79.1%) was the clear favorite over Allen (16.0%) and Stanford Routt (4.9%) for the CB2 spot. The third defensive back poll was open to include safeties, and Allen (63.9%) won convincingly over Michael Huff (16.5%), Tyvon Branch (10.4%) and Routt (9.1%).

Woodson:

Raiders Stats (2000-2005): 11 INTs, 49 PDs, 12 FFs, 344 tackles, 12 TFLs, 5.5 sacks (74 games, 6 seasons)

Accolades: 2x Pro Bowl (2000, 2001), 2nd-Team All-Pro (2000), Hall of Fame (2021)

The 1998 No. 4 overall pick is one of the best draft picks in Raiders’ history as he’s widely considered one of the franchise’s best defenders. Woodson’s career got off to a hot start with four straight Pro Bowl appearances, including two in this century. He was a key contributor on the Silver and Black’s three consecutive playoff teams from 2000 to 2002, adding an interception, eight passes defended and 39 tackles in the postseason to the stat line above.

Asomugha:

Raiders Stats: 11 INTs (1 TD), 61 PDs, 2 FFs, 311 tackles, 18 TFLs, 2 sacks (122 games, 8 seasons)

Accolades: 3x Pro Bowl (2008-2010), 2x 2nd-Team All-Pro (2006, 2009), 2x 1st-Team All-Pro (2008, 2010)

In a way, the football gods were cruel to Asomugha since he was drafted by a team that was coming off a Super Bowl appearance, but the Raiders never finished above .500 during his eight seasons in Oakland. Also, he might be the best player in NFL history to have never played in a playoff game. Individually, the four-time All-Pro had a great run with the Silver and Black, though. He was both a ballhawk and shutdown corner, as he recorded eight interceptions in ‘06 and quarterbacks openly admitted to not even looking his way after that campaign. In fact, Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning famously introduced Asomugha to his father, Archie, as “the best cornerback in the game” during the ’08/’09 Pro Bowl. Additionally, the Cal product currently ranks second in franchise history for passes defended*.

*PDs didn’t become an official NFL statistic until 1999.

Allen:

Raiders Stats (2000-2001): 7 INTs (3 TDs), 23 PDs, 2 FFs, 1 FRTD, 123 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack (32 games, 2 seasons)

Accolades: Hall of Fame (2025)

While Allen only spent a couple of years with the Raiders in the 2000s, he turned in two impressive campaigns. He led the NFL in pick-sixes with three in 2000, a franchise single-season record, and returned a fumble to the house the following year, collecting four touchdowns as a defensive player. Like Woodson, Allen was also a key factor in Oakland’s playoff teams at the turn of the century, picking up another interception and six more PDs in four postseason games.

Safety: Charles Woodson (2013-2015), Rod Woodson

Charles Woodson is the only player to make the team twice, winning the first safety poll convincingly with 87.7 percent of the votes due to his second stint with the Silver and Black, beating out Michael Huff (8.1%) and Tyvon Branch (4.3%). He’s joined by his former teammate, who shares the same last name, Rod Woodson (67.4%). The latter Woodson also took down Huff (23.7%) and Branch (8.9%).

Charles Woodson:

Raiders Stats (2013-2015): 284 tackles, 10 TFLs, 10 INTs, 20 PDs, 3 sacks (3 seasons, 48 games)

Accolades: Pro Bowl (2015), 2nd-Team All-Pro (2015), Hall of Fame (2021)

After seven years in Green Bay, Woodson returned to end his career where it started, in Oakland with the Raiders. He made a significant impact with his ball skills, helping him rank eighth in franchise history for career interceptions (27) and first in passes defended* (84). Coincidentally, his career started with a five-interception and Pro Bowl campaign, and ended with a five-interception and Pro Bowl campaign. While Woodson didn’t play on any winning teams during his second stint with the Raiders, his leadership and the example he set in the locker room helped guide the 2016 squad to end the organization’s long playoff drought.

Rod Woodson:

Raiders Stats: 133 tackles, 10 INTs (2 TDs), 19 PDs, 4 FRs (26 games, 2 seasons)

Accolades: Pro Bowl (2002), 1st-Team All-Pro (2002), Hall of Fame (2009)

After a decade with the Pittsburgh Steelers, a year across the Bay with the San Francisco 49ers and four seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, Woodson ended his 17-year career in Oakland. The Hall of Famer only spent two seasons with the Silver and Black, while missing six games during his final campaign, so he doesn’t rank high in the franchise’s record books. However, the 2002 free-agent signing made a significant immediate impact by leading the league with eight interceptions to help guide the Raiders to a Super Bowl appearance. Woodson also had two stints (2011 and 2015-2017) as a coach for the organization.

*PDs didn’t become an official NFL statistic until 1999.

**PFR states that solo tackles are “unofficial and inconsistently recorded”, adding ambiguity to the franchise rankings.

Kicker: Sebastian Janikowski

This poll was a simple two-man battle where Janikowski (69.8%) beat out Daniel Carlson (30.2%) fairly convincingly.

Raiders Stats: 414 FGM (80.4%), 63 long, 557 XPM (98.5%) (17 seasons, 268 games)

Accolades: Pro Bowl (2011), 2nd-Team All-Pro (2011)

The Polish Cannon already owns a piece of NFL history as the first, and currently only, kicker to be drafted in the first round. Also, the 17th overall selection in the 2000 draft tied an NFL record at the time for the longest field goal ever made with his 63-yarder in 2011, and booted the league’s longest field goal three times (‘08, ‘09 and ‘11). Janikowski also owns the franchise records for field goals and extra points made.

Punter: Shane Lechler

Punter wasn’t much of a contest as Lechler took home 87.9 percent of the votes, while AJ Cole III (9.7%) finished in second and Marquette King (2.4%) was third.

Raiders Stats: 48,215 punt yards, 47.5 ypp, 38.9 net ypp, 322 inside 20 (31.8%) (13 seasons, 206 games)

Accolades: 7x Pro Bowl (2001, 2004, 2007-2011), 6x 1st-Team All-Pro (2000, 2003, 2004, 2008-2010), 3x 2nd-Team All-Pro (2001, 2007, 2011), Golden Toe Award (2009), 2x NFL All-Decade Team (2000s, 2010s), NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team

A fifth-round pick in the 2000 NFL draft, Lechler had a storied career with the Silver and Black. It’s between him and Ray Guy for not only the best punter in franchise history, but the best in NFL history as well. Lechler owns Raiders records in punts downed inside the 20-yard line by 112, punt yards by nearly 4,000 and net yards by about 2,500. If the Pro Football Hall of Fame eventually makes the correct decision, he’ll have a gold jacket one day.