As I was filling out my 20-0 team, which I highly recommend to those that enjoy football history, I had the idea of doing one for the Raiders. Obviously, going 20-0 in the modern NFL is basically impossible, however what if there was a way to build an entire historical roster regardless of era & send them into the NFL right now to compete. The Raiders franchise is historic, there’s plenty of talent, and most importantly, there’s plenty of single seasons. Lets imagine every team gets to build a possible 20-0 team to matchup,
what would Las Vegas/Oakland/Los Angeles look like?
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).
If you have not read the Offense, Defense please read those to see the full roster
(these may not be live at the time of reading)
* Key Note: Players may appear on Defense or Offense, as well*
Kicker: Daniel Carlson – 2022
Stats: 17 Games, 34/37 FG (92%), 11/13 50+, 35/36 PAT (97.2%)
Others Considered: Daniel Carlson (20, 21, 24), Sebastian Janikowski (2012)
- This list basically came down to Carlson, or Carlson, or well Carlson. In 2022, Carlson set the Raiders single season record for 50+ attempts, points, field goal completions, (by 4), and he was 4th in Raiders single season all time FG rate behind himself three other times. Carlson’s toughest competition here was his 2021 season where he completed a franchise record 40 field goals on 43 attempts, though Las Vegas also attempted 18 field goals shorter than 29 yards and he weirdly missed 3 PAT. Carlson finished the 2022 season as an All-Pro & Pro-Bowler having the Raiders best kicking season in history.
Punter: AJ Cole – 2023
Stats: 17 Games, 75 punts, 3783 yards (50.4 avg), 43.7 net yards/punt, 83 long, 8% touchbacks, 45% inside 20
Others Considered: Shane Lechler (2007-2011), Marquette King (2013, 2016), AJ Cole (2021-2025), Ray Guy
- It’s so difficult to determine what was AJ Cole’s best season, in 2022 he set an NFL record for touchback rate on 50+ attempts at just 1.5% with a 44% inside 20 rate. His 2023 season ranks 20th in Raiders franchise history for single season touchback rate, and his inside 20 rate ranks 4th behind himself three other times. In 2023, his 50.5 average is 3rd all time behind Shane Lechler, and his net yards/punt is 3rd all time. Overall it’s the only season by a Raiders punter to rank top five in inside 20 rate, average, net average. His 2021 season may have been his worst but he did have a FF which was fun to watch. Cole is on pace to be the Raiders best punter in history, and possibly the best NFL history where his 48.7 yards/punt ranks 1st all-time. As for Ray Guy, the hall of fame punter, is arguably the Raiders 3rd best punter at all time but out of respect he did get considered.
Long Snapper: Jon Condo – 2011
Stats: 16 Games, 6 tackles
Others Considered: Trent Sieg (2022, 2023), Jon Condo (2009)
- In 2011, Raiders punter Shane Lechler was named a Pro-Bowler & All-Pro, as was kicker Sebastian Janikowski. Janikowski would go to convert 31 of 35 attempts, with an NFL long 61 yarder. Additionally, he missed 0 extra points, and had 0 blocked kicks. As for Lechler, he would lead the NFL with a long of 80 yards, see a 50.9 average, and led the NFL in net yards/punt.
Punt Returner: Johnnie Lee Higgins – 2008
Stats: 16 Games, 44 PR, 570 yards, 3 TD, 93 long, 13 average
Others Considered: Phillip Buchanon (2003), Greg Pruitt (1983), Desmond Howard (1997, 1998), George Atkinson (1968)
- I really wanted to pick Atkinson, and I also wanted to pick Howard. Atkinson had about 100 yards less, though his average was 0.8 yards higher. Additionally, him and Howard both had one less touchdown. Similar to that of Jacoby Ford at kick returner, the ability for Higgins to turn 6.8% of his returns for touchdowns is a game breaking threat. Additionally, while not fully important his ability to do so in the modern NFL which has seen elite special teams play does factor in here.
Kick Returner: Jacoby Ford – 2010
Stats: 16 Games, 53 KR, 1280 yards, 3 TD, 101 long, 24.2 average
Others Considered: Chris Carr (2005-2007)Tim Brown (1988)
- You can make a very valid case for a few players on this list. Chris Carr logged over 1700 yards in both 2005 & 2006 with 1300 in 2027. He was highly efficient as well with two seasons over a 24.5 average. Ford holds the record for most single season kick returns in Raiders history, and his long of 101 is third all time. Ford consistently was a big play threat at kick returner, and he consistently found a way to get to a quality field position, but the ability to log any kick as a touchdown makes him the clear cut threat.
Gunner: Johnny Holton – 2016
Stats: 13 tackles, FR, 1 missed tackle
Others Considered: N/A
- Holton may not even be the best on his 2016 roster, with Brayden Trawick (blast from the past) turning in 15 tackles for the Raiders, though he did also have 347 snaps compared to Holton’s 146. Holton impacted the Raiders consistently in 2016 on special teams, also turning in some return skills.
Gunner: Tommy Eichenberg – 2025
Stats: 21 tackles, 5 missed tackles
Others Considered: N/A
- Eichenberg holds the Raiders franchise single season record for special teams tackles of his 2025 season, which also ranked 4th in the NFL that season. Additionally, he’s only 10 tackles off the Raiders franchise record, since they have been recorded. Eichenberg is consistent, works on kick offs, punts, and all facets of the game carving out a strong career on ST.
Gunner: Dwayne Harris – 2018
Stats: 15 Game, 20 PR, 281 yards, TD, 99 long, 14.1 average, 29 KR, 663 yards | 17 tackles
Others Considered: Marquel Lee (2018), Chimidi Chekwa (2014), Brayden Trawick (2016), Dallin Leavitt (2021)
- Harris turned in a special 2018 season with his famous 99 yard punt return in what could’ve been the Raiders final game in Oakland, while also having 17 tackles on special teams which was the franchise record till Eichenberg broke such in 2025. Harris is a fun player, he’s a pure veteran and a veteran. Additionally, he did draw 4 penalties, which made his selection a touch difficult despite the production.
Special Teams: Denico Autry – 2015
Stats: 2 blocked FG, 1 blocked PAT
Others Considered: N/A
- Autry finished the season with a 94.9 PFF special teams grade, and his 3 blocked kicks led the NFL. Autry has consistently turned in quality seasons on special teams with nearly 15 career blocked kicks in his 11 year NFL career. Additionally, his career 93 PFF special teams grade is on pace to be the highest in NFL history, since PFF tracked grades on special teams.
Special Teams: Ted Hendricks – 1976
Stats: 2 blocked FG, blocked punt
Others Considered: N/A
- Hendricks holds the NFL record for blocked kicks and punts with an estimated 25 to 28, with 10-15 of those coming with the Raiders. Hendricks in 1976, just two years removed from his NFL record 7 in 1974 turned in an excellent season. Hendricks can turn around games with his blocked kicks & punts, and when he’s turning in nearly 7 with Denico Autry, you change field positions immediately.
