Oakland Raiders 2019 season jersey countdown: No. 97

There are 97 days until the start of the 2019 NFL season for the Oakland Raiders, and we take a look at those players who wore No. 97 in the Silver and Black.

The Oakland Raiders now officially have less than 100 days before kicking off their 2019 season, where they will look to become a contender in the AFC West. The combination of Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden brought in a ton of talent this offseason, and with 97 days left before Week 1, we continue our jersey number countdown.

We continue our countdown with jersey No. 97.

Who wears No. 97 now?

In 2019, the No. 97 will be worn by a brand new member of the Oakland Raiders, as Josh Mauro will take over the honors of wearing that number. For Mauro, he was brought into Oakland to help with depth at the defensive end position, which was a major weakness for this team last season.

Mauro comes to the Raiders after a one-year stint with the New York Giants, where he appeared in 12 games, making four starts in 2018. He has never been a huge sack guy, but is strong against the run, and will be in the mix for a possible backup role with the team this season.

Who wore No. 97 in  the past?

Rick Ackerman (1984)

The first player to ever wear the No. 97 with the Raiders, Rick Ackerman played parts of two seasons in the Silver and Black. In his final season in the NFL, Ackerman appeared in three games, making two starts during the 1987 season.

Phil Grimes (1987)

Phil Grimes played in only two games during his NFL career, both with the Raiders during the 1987 season.

Mark Mraz (1989)

Mark Mraz was a fifth round draft pick of the Atlanta Falcons in 1987, and after playing for them as a rookie, he was cut in the offseason in 1988. After sitting out the 1988 season, Mraz latched on with the Raiders for the 1989 campaign, playing in 11 games, while registering 0.5 sacks.

Ron Burton (1990)

Ron Burton had a stellar career at the University of North Carolina, but still went undrafted, before signing with the Dallas Cowboys in 1987. In 1990, he made his way to the Raiders, where he was a part of the linebacker group, until tearing up his knee after five games. That 1990 Raiders team would make it to the AFC title game.

Willie Broughton (1992-1993)

One of the few Raiders to wear No. 97, and actually play multiple seasons with the team, Willie Broughton came to the team after missing the previous year rehabbing a back injury. The injury bug bit him with the Raiders as well, and he was eventually traded to the New Orleans Saints for draft capital.

Russell Maryland (1996)

During the 1991 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys made Russell Maryland the first overall pick out of Miami (FL). He came to the Raiders in 1996, sporting the No. 97 for a season, before moving back to his traditional No. 67. A Pro Bowler with Dallas, he had 8.5 sacks in three years with the Raiders.

John Parrella (2002-2004)

After beginning his NFL career in Buffalo, John Parrella made an eight-year run in San Diego, playing for the Raiders rival, the Chargers, In 2002, Parrella changed allegiances, joining the Silver and Black, where he would finish out his NFL career. He made 20 starts over a three-year span with the Raiders.

Greyson Gunheim (2008)

A product of the University of Washington, Greyson Gunheim went undrafted, but latched on with the Raiders on their practice squad in 2008. He eventually was placed on the active roster that season, appearing in three games, but that would be the extent of his NFL career.

Andre Carter (2012)

During the 2001 NFL Draft, Andre Carter was the No. 7 overall pick by the San Francisco 49ers, where he would spend the first five years of his NFL career. After stints in Washington and New England, Carter went to Oakland for the 2012 campaign, where he appeared in 12 games, and got to the quarterback 2.5 times.

Daniel Muir (2013)

Daniel Muir was an undrafted player out of Kent State, and finished up his career in 2013 with the Oakland Raiders. Muir actually appeared in ten games after being signed in October, making one start, while notching one sack.

Mario Edwards (2015-2017)

The Oakland Raiders made Mario Edwards Jr. their second round pick during the 2014 NFL Draft, and the expectation was that he would team with Khalil Mack to give the Raiders solid young defensive ends for year to come. Unfortunately, Edwards never really lived up to the hype, as he battled through multiple injuries, and was released prior to the 2018 season.

Clinton McDonald (2018)

After Mario Edwards Jr. was released prior to the 2018 NFL season, Clinton McDonald took over his No. 97 jersey, and appeared in 15 games, making one start. McDonald played well in spurts for the Raiders in 2018, but was not brought back for a second go-around this season.