The Raiders just finished 3-14. Tom Brady is in the building demanding more. Klint Kubiak is already catching heat for a free-agent deal ESPN called one of the worst of the offseason. There is a lot of work to do in Las Vegas.
But before we get too deep into the rebuild, let’s do something fun. Let’s pretend the Raiders are about to run the table and go 20-0. Not with the current roster. With the best players who ever wore the silver and black. This is that team.
Quarterback: Ken Stabler
Derek Carr has the volume stats. Rich Gannon had an MVP season. Jim Plunkett won two Super Bowls. But this is still Stabler’s franchise. He played with controlled chaos. He was accurate, fearless, and at his best when the game got ugly. In a 20-0 season, you want the left-handed gambler who can take a hit and still hit the tight window on third down. That is Snake.
Running Back: Marcus Allen
Bo Jackson is the most mythical Raiders back. His peak is one of the great what-ifs in football history. But Allen gave you everything. Inside runs, outside runs, pass protection, receiving, and the iconic Super Bowl XVIII touchdown run. He is the complete package.
Wide Receivers: Tim Brown, Fred Biletnikoff, Cliff Branch
Brown was the steady engine who produced through multiple eras without elite quarterback play. Biletnikoff was a technician who got open through craft and toughness, not speed. Branch was the deep threat who made defensive backs nervous before the snap. Together they cover every route on the field. Good luck covering that trio.
Tight End: Dave Casper
The Ghost. He could block, catch over the middle, and showed up in the biggest moments. He was built for playoff football. On a team full of stars, Casper is the kind of player who keeps the chains moving.
Offensive Line
Art Shell at left tackle. Gene Upshaw at left guard. Jim Otto at center. Steve Wisniewski at right guard. Lincoln Kennedy at right tackle. That is a Hall of Fame left side, a punishing interior, and a massive right side. Stabler would have all day to throw. The running game would have lanes. This line would bully people.
Defensive Line: Howie Long, Chester McGlockton, Tom Keating, Greg Townsend
Long is the headliner. He was explosive, versatile, and perfectly fit the Raider identity. McGlockton was a disruptive force inside who demanded double teams. Keating was undersized but relentless, the kind of player who defined the franchise’s toughness. Townsend is the all-time sack leader and would feast with McGlockton eating up blockers. This front would be exhausting to play against.
Linebackers: Ted Hendricks, Phil Villapiano, Matt Millen
Hendricks at 6-7 was a freak who blocked passes, rushed the passer, and covered ground like no one else. Villapiano brought the energy and aggression of the 1970s defenses. Millen was a smart, physical linebacker who won championships. This group is unconventional and tough.
Secondary: Willie Brown, Lester Hayes, Charles Woodson, Jack Tatum
Brown was a smooth shutdown corner with the defining pick-six in Super Bowl XI. Hayes had one of the best cornerback seasons ever in 1980 with 13 interceptions and Defensive Player of the Year honors. Woodson could play anywhere in the secondary and dictate games. Tatum was one of the hardest hitters in NFL history. This secondary would intimidate.
Special Teams
Jacoby Ford is the returner. He was pure electricity with the ball in his hands. Sebastian Janikowski is the kicker. A first-round pick with a cannon leg and a long career. He is the only choice.
Head Coach: John Madden
Tom Flores won two Super Bowls and deserves respect. But Madden defined Raider football. His teams were physical, dominant, and consistent. He understood what the franchise was supposed to look like. He is the coach for a 20-0 team.
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