Although there were many dark days in Oakland during the 2010s, four players were responsible for the few bright spots. The Raiders only had one winning season in this decade, in 2016. The head coaches during this period were mainly Jack Del Rio and Dennis Allen. Jon Gruden ended the decade with a 7-9 record in 2019. As you can see, there wasn’t much winning going on those days.
Oakland fans would’ve lacked entertainment without these four players. These Raiders legends paved the way for the regime currently in place for the 2020s. Let’s take a closer look at this group of contributors to see if we made the right choices.
Which four Oakland Raiders made the list?
Marcel Reece, Fullback (2009-2015)
Reece posed a significant challenge to opponents. Not only was he a lead blocker for Darren McFadden, but he was also a dynamic receiver. This translated from his wide receiver days at the University of Washington. He was a focal point of the offense and a key component to the success.
The 6-foot-3 gadget player earned a Pro Bowl honor in three seasons during this time. He also was a second-team All-Pro in 2013. His best statistical season was in 2012, when he averaged 30.1 receiving yards per game. This decade he totaled 1,995 receiving yards, 844 rushing yards, and 15 touchdowns.
No. 45 is truly a Raider legend.
Derek Carr, Quarterback (2014-2022)
Arguably the best quarterback in Raiders history is the Fresno State alum. Carr led this franchise to their only playoff berth of the decade. In this season, the 25-year-old was an MVP candidate and finished third in voting. Despite only having 63 wins in his Silver and Black career, No. 4 led the team to 33 game-winning drives.
The four-time Pro Bowl quarterback persevered through all the challenges. He endured the uneasy front offices with six head coaches and several general managers. Generally, most of the teams he was a part of were offensive-minded. Following Khalil Mack’s trade, the defense consistently ranked near the bottom of the league.
Carr is statistically the best Raiders quarterback of all time, breaking many of the passing records. He holds the record for passing yards, passing touchdowns, and pass completions.
A kicker, seriously?
Sebastian Janikowski, Kicker (2000-2016)
“Seabass” had an explosive leg and created stability in the Raiders’ special teams. Drafting a kicker in the first round sounds repulsive, but this was not a reach. He is the all-time leading scorer in Raiders history with 1,799 points. In 2011, he held the record for the longest field goal of all time, from 63 yards against the Broncos.
Janikowski kicked more field goals longer than 50 yards than any player in history. Special teams has always been a staple in Silver and Black history. He and Shane Lechler were one of the best duos in the NFL for a long time.
No. 11 is the best kicker in Oakland history.
Khalil Mack, Defensive Line (2014-2017)
“Mack Attack” had a short-lived career in Oakland but was phenomenal in his time. The first-round pick from Buffalo was extremely reliable. He never missed a game; he played all 64 games in four seasons. He was the primary reason for the defense’s success during this decade.
His Oakland career was dominant as he was voted to receive an award every year. He received three Pro Bowl nods and even won Defensive Player of the Year in 2016. Additionally, he was the first player in history to be named an All-Pro at two positions. He demonstrated his ability to both rush the passer and defend in pass coverage simultaneously.
The Buffalo alum was the standout player on the roster before his trade in 2018. Mack is regarded as one of the best defenders that Raider fans have ever witnessed. Regardless of opinions about the trade involving him, it’s undeniable that he served as the organization’s cornerstone during that decade.
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