Shoes to fill: Best players in franchise history to wear 2025 draft class’ numbers

Can the rookies live up to the legacy their numbers carry?

OTAs are underway for the Las Vegas Raiders, which means Ashton Jeanty and the entire 2025 NFL Draft class have silver and black jerseys on with their first numbers as professionals. Since the Raiders don’t retire numbers, some of these rookies have big shoes to fill to live up to the legacy of the players who used to wear the digit.

Granted, the rookies can change their numbers before the start of the regular season and seventh-round pick Cody Lindenberg has already switched from 54 to 55. But for now, we’ll take a look at what legacy each rookie is hoping to uphold with their current threads.

Ashton Jeanty No. 2 — Daniel Carlson

This one is kind of ironic since Jeanty and Carlson will play together, and the running back recently had to pay a small fortune to get No. 2 from the kicker. There weren’t many options for this number since only seven Raiders have worn it, including the infamous bust JaMarcus Russell, and Carlson sported it the longest with five seasons. So, in a way, the No. 6 overall pick has an opportunity to create his own legacy as the best No. 2 in franchise history…pause.

Jack Bech No. 18 — Louis Murphy

Anyone who held onto a Randy Moss jersey over the last 20 years can just swap out the name plate to support Bech as he attempts to get Raider Nation to forget all about Moss’ tenure with the club. The legendary wideout is a Hall of Famer, but that wasn’t because of his two-year run in Oakland.

Meanwhile, Murphy was a solid contributor during some tough years for the franchise (2009 to 2011). He totaled 1,514 yards and seven touchdowns from scrimmage and is remembered fondly by the fanbase. That said, the 2009 fourth-round pick doesn’t have a major legacy with the club, making it attainable for Bech to become the best No. 18 in franchise history.

Darien Porter No. 26 — Van McElroy

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Coincidentally, McElroy was a defensive back who was selected 64th overall (third round) by the Raiders, and Porter was taken just a few draft slots later at 68 (third round). McElroy spent nine seasons with the Raiders (1982 to 1990) and was a ballhawk with 31 career interceptions, including eight in ‘83. He earned two Pro Bowl bids, was a second-team All-Pro once and won a Super Bowl with the Silver and Black, giving the Iowa State product some big shoes to fill.

Caleb Rogers No. 76 — Steve Wisniewski

To be honest, it’s going to be extremely difficult for Rogers to live up to Wisniewski’s legacy. The latter is one of the best offensive linemen in franchise history, making eight Pro Bowl and All-Pro (two first-team and six second-team) teams during his 13-year career from 1989 to 2001. He also earned a spot on the NFL’s 1990s All-Decade Team and was an iron man, only missing two games during his career. So, Rogers replacing Robert Gallery as the second-best No. 76 feels a lot more attainable and realistic.

Charles Grant No. 60 — Otis Sistrunk

Sistrunk was on the opposite side of the trenches from Grant, as the defensive lineman was a sack artist during his seven years in Oakland. He totaled 53 career sacks, cracking double-digits three times, while earning a Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro bid in 1974 and helping the Raiders win their first Super Bowl in franchise history. That’s a strong legacy but still an attianable one for Grant to live up to, he’ll just have to keep pass-rushers away from the quarterback instead.

Dont’e Thornton No. 10 — Seth Roberts

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Jay Schroeder was considered here, but Schroeder only wore No. 10 during his last year with the organization (1992) where he certainly wasn’t at his best. So, that makes way for Roberts, who was solid during his four seasons with the club.

The former undrafted free agent had 158 catches for 1,826 and 13 touchdowns with the Raiders, including a handful of clutch scores to win games. Similar to Thornton’s projection, Roberts was never the offense’s No. 1 receiver, but he filled his role well to be a quality contributor for the Silver and Black. That’s an attainable legacy for the Tennessee product to live up to.

Tonka Hemingway No. 97 — John Parrella

There weren’t many options with 97 as Mario Edwards Jr. was the other player considered. Parrella was at the tail end of his career when he played in Oakland and had a decent campaign during the team’s Super Bowl run in 2002, collecting 44 total tackles, one sack and four passes defended. However, he only played in five games the following year and was a backup in 2004 before retiring. So, Hemingway has a decent chance to be the franchise’s best player to wear this number.

JJ Pegues No. 92 — Richard Seymour

Pegues is facing some significant pressure as a defensive tackle to wear No. 92 for the Raiders considering Seymour is now a mintority owner of the club. While the 12-year pro had his best seasons with the New England Patriots, he was a two-time Pro Bowler and second-team All-Pro selection during his four years in Oakland. Seymour managed to rack up 139 tackles, 18.5 sacks and 27 TFL for the Raiders and has a gold jacket hanging in his closet.

Tommy Mellott No. 19 — Cotton Davidson

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We have to go back to the AFL days to find a notable 19, as Davidson played for the Raiders from 1962 to 1968, retiring two years before the league’s merger was complete. It more normal during the 60s, but his career is interesting since he was a quarterback who played in 58 games for the organization but only made 28 starts. He also contributed as a placekicker and punter. Davidson made an AFL All-Star game and was a two-time AFL Champion with the club, so it will be interesting to see if Mellott, a converted quarterback, can live up to this legacy.

Cam Miller No. 5 — Kerry Collins

This is another number that doesn’t have many quality options as Divine Deablo and Bruce Gradkowski were the other two former players considered. Collins took over under center in Oakland during the beginning stages of the dark years, 2004 and 2005. He didn’t do much winning as a starter with a 7-21 reocred, but he did have back-to-back 20 touchdown campaigns. Miller projects as more of a backup, but he could create a decent legacy by winning a few big games in emergency situations to surpass Collins.

Cody Lindenberg No. 55 — Matt Millen

These are some pretty big shoes to fill for the seventh-round pick. While Millen only received one Pro Bowl bid during his nine years with the organization, he won two Super Bowls and embodied the tough, rugged and physical nature of the 80s Raiders. The 1980 second-round pick is widely considered one of the best linebacers in franchise history, creating a big legacy for Lindenberg to live up to.