Las Vegas Raiders: 50 greatest players in franchise history

You’ve probably noticed that this list has been predominantly offensive-minded up to this point. What can I say? The Raiders have done well for themselves in the trenches and at several key skill positions. Our second all-time Raider to crack the top-50 on the defensive side of the ball is none other than middle linebacker Dan Conners coming it at No. 41.

Oakland used its second-round pick in 1964 (No. 15 overall) to help pry the promising Miami Hurricanes linebacker away from the NFL’s Chicago Bears, who used a fifth-round pick on Conners. It turned out to be a good move for the Raiders, as Conners would spend all 11 of his professional football seasons with the Silver and Black.

Conners made the AFL All-Star team in three straight seasons from 1967 to 1969. He would help the Raiders win their first, and only, AFL championship in 1967 before falling to the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl II. Conners would play with the team through the 1974 NFL season before retiring. Too bad he didn’t stick around to see the Silver and Black win their first Super Bowl championship in 1976 over the Minnesota Vikings.

During his 11-year football career, Conners proved to be a reliable tackler with sure hands around the ball. He had 15 career interceptions for 232 yards and three touchdowns, as well as 16 fumble recoveries for 112 yards and two trips to pay dirt. Conners made the AFL All-Time Second Team. He is often in the mix for one of the best linebackers in the history of the Silver and Black.