Silver and Black Greats: A Comprehensive Look at Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders Alumni

The Raiders, a franchise steeped in history and known for their "Commitment to Excellence," have seen countless talented players don the silver and black. Throughout their time in both Oakland and Las Vegas, the Raiders have cultivated a legacy of hard-hitting, passionate football. With three Super Bowl titles to their name, the Raiders have consistently showcased remarkable talent, making the selection of an all-time roster a challenging, yet exciting endeavor.

Defining a Raiders Great

Identifying the "greatest" Raiders involves considering various factors. Longevity with the team, impact on the field, Pro Bowl selections, All-Pro honors, and contributions to Super Bowl victories all weigh heavily in the evaluation. The intangible "Raider mystique," a blend of toughness, grit, and a rebellious spirit, also plays a role.

Raiders All-Time Defensive Lineup

Creating an all-time defensive lineup for the Raiders is an incredibly difficult task due to the abundance of talent that has graced the team over the years. The Raiders have consistently boasted formidable defensive units. A nickel defense, which utilizes five defensive backs, allows for the inclusion of some of the franchise's best cover men.

Defensive End: Greg Townsend

A fourth-round pick in 1983 out of TCU, Greg Townsend spent a decade terrorizing opposing quarterbacks in the silver and black. A model of consistency and durability, Townsend amassed 109 sacks in his Raiders career, placing him among the NFL's all-time sack leaders. What set Townsend apart was his nose for the endzone. He also recorded three interceptions and scored four touchdowns.

Defensive Tackle: Chester McGlockton

Chester McGlockton was a dominant force in the middle of the defensive line. McGlockton was a four-time Pro Bowler who recorded 39.5 sacks.

Defensive Tackle: Richard Seymour

Richard Seymour's impact on the Raiders was felt immediately. Seymour played like a true Raider with his ruthless ways. His work ethic and style of play would make him a perfect addition to this all time team.

Defensive End: Howie Long

Howie Long, a defensive lineman for the Los Angeles Raiders, was a dominant force. Long spent all 13 seasons of his career with the Raiders, becoming a defensive anchor of the 1983 Super Bowl champion team. He earned eight Pro Bowl selections during his career. Long's 84 sacks, since the statistic became official in 1982, are the second-most in franchise history. Long was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000.

Linebacker: Ted Hendricks

Nicknamed "The Mad Stork" and "Kick 'em in the Head Ted," Ted Hendricks brought a unique intensity to the Raiders defense. Hendricks intercepted 26 passes, recorded an NFL-record four safeties, and has 61 unofficial sacks (sacks became an official stat in 1982). He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990.

Linebacker: Greg Biekert

Greg Biekert is the perfect middle linebacker for this team. Not only is he tough, but he is also one of the smartest linebackers to ever play the game. He recorded over 700 tackles in a Raider uniform.

Defensive Back: Willie Brown

Willie Brown is tied as the Raiders' all-time leader in interceptions with 39. He was a big part of the Raiders Super Bowl XI victory. With the strong front line this team would create, Brown would be getting plenty of picks and would be taking them to the house just like he did in Super Bowl XI. Brown was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1984.

Defensive Back: Mike Haynes

Mike Haynes was one of the best cornerbacks in the league during his time. He could cover anyone all day and night. Not only could he cover any receiver lined up in front of him, but he would shut down a whole side of the field.

Defensive Back: Nnamdi Asomugha

Nnamdi Asomugha is as close as it comes to this because teams rarely throw his way. With Asomugha, Haynes and Brown playing defensive backs, you have to wonder if there is even a need a safety.

Safety: George Atkinson

George Atkinson is tied for fifth all-time in career interceptions with the Oakland Raiders. He viewed receivers like burglars breaking into his house. He made them pay when they came his way. He was one of the most menacing players in NFL history. He would be a perfect safety for this nasty team full of guys who play the Raiders way.

Safety: Jack Tatum

Jack "The Assassin" Tatum was ranked the sixth all-time most feared hitter. A hard-hitting guy who wants to make the other team regret they ever played football. He wanted receivers to be concentrating on him instead of the ball, and he succeeded many times.

Top 10 Raiders of All Time

FOX Sports Research compiled a list of the 10 best Raiders of all time, considering their impact, statistics, and accolades.

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Gene Upshaw (1967-1981): Upshaw played all 217 of his career games with the Raiders. He was named First or Second-team All-League or All-Conference 11 consecutive years, and he was selected to seven Pro Bowls as well. Upshaw became the only player ever to start on championship teams in both the AFL and NFL with his unprecedented longevity. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987.
Jim Otto (1960-1974): Possibly the greatest center in NFL history, Jim Otto spent 15 seasons with the Raiders from 1960-1974, where he earned 10 All-AFL selections and two All-Pro selections. When he retired after the 1974 season, he had started in 210 consecutive games in the regular season and had played in 308 games as a Raider. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1980.
Art Shell (1968-1982): Shell spent his entire 15-year career with the Raiders, starting 169 games at offensive tackle. Shell was a first- or second-team All-Pro choice six consecutive years from 1973 through 1978, and also played in eight Pro Bowl games and 23 postseason contests. Shell was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1989.
Marcus Allen (1982-1992): One of seven players ever with 12,000-plus rushing yards and more than 100 rushing touchdowns, Marcus Allen was one of the most electric players in NFL history. Allen was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2003.
Howie Long (1981-1993): Another Raider lifer, having spent all 13 seasons of his career with them. Long was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000.
Tim Brown (1988-2003): Brown spent 16 of his 17 seasons with the Raiders, earning nine Pro Bowl selections in that span. Brown was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2015.
Ted Hendricks (1975-1983): A four-time Super Bowl champion with three of them coming as a Raider, Ted Hendricks is considered one of the greatest linebackers in NFL history. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990.
Willie Brown (1967-1978): One of 23 players to grab at least 54 interceptions, Willie Brown was an instrumental part of the 1976 Raiders team that won the Super Bowl. Brown also was a defensive backs coach for the Raiders during two more Super Bowl titles in 1980 and 1983, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1984.
Ken Stabler (1970-1979): Ken "The Snake" Stabler led the Raiders to their first-ever Super Bowl title in the 1976 season and is still the franchise's all-time leader in quarterback wins with 69. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2016.
Charles Woodson (1998-2005, 2013-2015): After being drafted with the fourth overall pick by the Raiders in 1998, Charles Woodson made an immediate impact for the franchise. Woodson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021.

Honorable Mentions

Many other Raiders legends deserve recognition, including:

Fred Biletnikoff
Jack Tatum
Cliff Branch
Lester Hayes
Bo Jackson
Jim Plunkett
Ray Guy

A Comprehensive List of Raiders Alumni

This is a list of players who have appeared in at least one regular season or postseason game in the National Football League (NFL) or American Football League (AFL) for the Las Vegas Raiders franchise.

Ameer Abdullah
Johnathan Abram
Rick Ackerman
Davante Adams
Phillip Adams
Sam Adams
Stan Adams
Stefon Adams
Tyrell Adams
James Adkisson
Ben Agajanian
Nelson Agholor
Carl Aikens
Elijah Alexander
Lorenzo Alexander
Mike Alexander
Vadal Alexander
Jay Alford
Dakota Allen
Dalva Allen
Eric Allen
Jackie Allen
Marcus Allen
Nate Allen
Jon Alston
Lyle Alzado
David Amerson
Vincent Amey
Courtney Anderson
Eddie Anderson
Marques Anderson
Leo Araguz
Dan Archer
Ray Armstrong
Ray-Ray Armstrong
Trace Armstrong
Damon Arnette
Doug Asad
Larry Asante
Darryl Ashmore
Joe Aska
Nnamdi Asomugha
Marcell Ateman
Larry Atkins
Pervis Atkins
George Atkinson
George Atkinson
David Ausberry
Denico Autry
Anthony Averett
Alex Bachman
Brad Badger
Chris Bahr
Rashad Baker
Eric Ball
Jerry Ball
Neiron Ball
Pete Banaszak
Estes Banks
Warren Bankston
Al Bansavage
Joe Barbee
Peyton Barber
Joe Barksdale
Rod Barksdale
Jeff Barnes
Khalif Barnes
Larry Barnes
Rodrigo Barnes
Malcolm Barnwell
Jan Barrett
Alex Bars
Ron Bartell
Rich Bartlewski
Eric Barton
Jackson Barton
Daren Bates
Patrick Bates
Vic Beasley
Kevin Belcher
Anthony Bell
Greg Bell
Joe Bell
Nick Bell
Brian Belway
Wes Bender
Jakorian Bennett
Michael Bennett
Duane Benson
Thomas Benson
Bene Benwikere
Tony Bergstrom
Rick Berns
Rufus Bess
Don Bessillieu
Steve Beuerlein
Greg Biekert
Fred Biletnikoff
Andrew Billings
Christo Bilukidi
Rodger Bird
Dan Birdwell
Sonny Bishop
Barry Black
Saeed Blacknall
Darryl Blackstock
George Blanda
Greg Blankenship
Jacob Bobenmoyer
Brandon Bolden
Kyle Boller
Curtis Bolton
Rik Bonness
Devontae Booker
Kevin Boothe
Kevin Boss
Tashawn Bower
Brock Bowers
Nick Bowers
John Bowie
NaVorro Bowman
Greg Boyd
Jerome Boyd
Max Boydston
George Boynton
Cary Brabham
Greg Bracelin
Morris Bradshaw
Calvin Branch
Cliff Branch
Tyvon Branch
Alex Bravo
Tyler Brayton
Jim Breech
Jim Brewington
Jeremy Brigham
Mike Brisiel
Mason Brodine
Lorenzo Bromell
Aaron Brooks
Bobby Brooks
Bucky Brooks
Willie Broughton
Bob Brown
Brittain Brown
Charles Brown
Derek Brown
Doug Brown
Fadol Brown
Jayon Brown
Larry Brown
Pharaoh Brown
Preston Brown
Ricky Brown
Ron Brown
Ron Brown
Stevie Brown
Tarell Brown
Tim Brown
Trent Brown
Vincent Brown
Willie Brown
Jim Browne
Keith Browner
Dave Browning
Aundray Bruce
Larry Brunson
Desmond Bryant
Harrison Bryant
Martavis Bryant
Tony Bryant
Warren Bryant
Ray Buchanan
Phillip Buchanon
Will Buchanon
Bob Buczkowski
Bill Budness
George Buehler
Drew Buie
Jarrod Bunch
Jerry Burch
Vontaze Burfict
Derrick Burgess
Kaelin Burnett
Kevin Burnett
Amari Burney
Miles Burris
Ron Burton
Michael Bush
Matt Bushman
Paul Butcher
Adam Butler
Brice Butler
Darien Butler
Matthew Butler
Darryl Byrd
Jason Cabinda
Tony Caldwell
Rick Calhoun
Shilique Calhoun
Austin Calitro
Rich Camarillo
Bruce Campbell
Jason Campbell
Joe Campbell
Stan Campbell
Joe Cannavino
Billy Cannon
Cooper Carlisle
Daniel Carlson
Chetti Carr
Chris Carr
Derek Carr
Tank Carradine
T.J. Carrie
Derek Carrier
Darren Carrington
Joe Carroll
Andre Carter
Andre Carter II
DeAndre Carter
Louis Carter
Perry Carter
Russell Carter
Zachary Carter
Rock Cartwright
Chance Casey
Kerry Cash
Dave Casper
Carmen Cavalli
Mario Celotto
K'Lavon Chaisson
Bob Chandler
Jamar Chaney
Ted Chapman
Mike Charles
Chimdi Chekwa
Raymond Chester
Todd Christensen
Brad Christenson
Don Churchwell
Danny Clark
John Clay
Keenan Clayton
T.J. Clemmings
Chris Clemons
Tony Cline
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
AJ Cole III
Keelan Cole
Kenyon Coleman
Roderick Coleman
Chris Collier
Kerry Collins
Maliek Collins
Mo Collins
Neal Colzie
Derek Combs
William Compton
Jon Condo
Gareon Conley
Dan Conners
Brett Conway
Connor Cook
Jared Cook
Bob Coolbaugh
Amari Cooper
Chris Cooper
Earl Cooper
Jarrod Cooper
Marquis Cooper
Joe Cormier
Jack Cornell
Dave Costa
Joe Costello
Lester Cotton
James Cowser
Michael Crabtree
Dobie Craig
Roger Craig
Jack Crawford
Juron Criner
Zack Crockett
Maxx Crosby
Wayne Crow
Derrick Crudup
Daunte Culpepper
Rick Cunningham
Aaron Curry
Ronald Curry
Dave Dalby
Brad Daluiso
Clem Daniels
Dave Daniels
Ben Davidson
Cotton Davidson
Bruce Davis
Bruce Davis
Clarence Davis
Greg Davis
James Davis
Jason Davis
Mike Davis
Scott Davis
Trevor Davis
Jerone Davison
Divine Deablo
Mike Dennery
Andrew DePaola
Jerry DePoyster
Don Deskins
Jordan Devey
Andy Dickerson
Eric Dickerson
Eldridge Dickey

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