Top-5 Raiders not enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame

(Photo by George Rose/Getty Images)
(Photo by George Rose/Getty Images) /
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Cliff Branch, Wide Receiver

Cliff Branch is one of those all-time Raiders who is beloved by everyone within Raider Nation. During his NFL career, Branch spent his entire 14-year career with the team, and while he started in Oakland, he ended his career in Los Angeles.

The Raiders made Branch their fourth round pick back in 1972, and since then, he has been a fixture within the organization. A three-time Super Bowl champion with the franchise, Branch put together some of the better receiving seasons in Raiders history, and for a time, he was the best in the business.

From 1974-77, Branch was not only the best wide receiver on the Raiders, but in football. He made four straight Pro Bowls, was a First-Team All-Pro in each season, and firmly cemented himself as one of the best Raiders to ever play the game.

In total, Branch finished with 501 receptions, racking up 8,865 yards and hauling in 67 touchdowns. During the 1974 season, Branch led the NFL in both receiving yards (1,092), and touchdowns (13), and then led it in touchdowns in 1976 (12).

All of these accomplishments should be enough to land him in Canton, but at 69 years old, he is still waiting for the call.