The Oakland Raiders franchise has had its fair share of legendary players, but who is the next player who will go down as a Raiders legend.
Oakland Raiders fans have been fortunate enough to watch some of the greatest players in NFL history play for their team. From Marcus Allen to Howie Long, many great players have come out of this organization. With that being said, the Raiders have created a talented roster going into 2019, and it makes one think, who could be the next legendary Raider?
The first name that comes to mind is obviously Derek Carr. Carr ranks second in passing yards for the Raiders franchise, and is less than 1,000 yards from passing Ken Stabler. Carr also ranks third on the list for touchdowns with 122, only 28 touchdowns behind the leader Ken Stabler.
In terms of stats, Carr has had a great first five seasons, but his record is what is currently holding him back. As close as Carr is to surpassing Ken Stabler on his way to holding all of the Raiders passing records, their career records are no where near the same. Stabler finished with a record of 69-26-1 with the Raiders, as Derek Carr is 32-46 for his career. Carr is still young and has a great chance to become a great, but he will have to start winning games to claim that title.
Rodney Hudson has been with the Raiders since 2015, and is already one of the best offensive lineman in franchise history. Hudson has been one of the best centers in the NFL with the Raiders, and was named to Pro Bowls in 2016 and 2017, and could have easily been selected in 2018 had the Raiders had more success.
The Raiders are in talks with Hudson to give him a contract extension, and if he stays with the Raiders and performs the way that he has been, there is no reason that Hudson cannot go down as one of the Raiders greats.
The best player on the Raiders roster is Antonio Brown, but no matter how well he does, it will be hard for the Raiders to claim him when his career is said and done. With that being said, Brown has shown no signs of slowing down despite his age, and if he can give the Raiders three to four solid years, he could reach the top five of the Raiders record books.
Antonio Brown will go down as a Hall of Fame wide receiver, and he will really need to show out to be looked at as a Raider instead of a Steeler a few years from now. Although he will never reach the numbers of Tim Brown, Fred Biletnikoff, or Cliff Branch in the silver and black, Antonio Brown will have the chance to make a name for himself here in the history books, not only with his stats, but if he makes a difference in terms of winning games.
The only way Antonio Brown can become a legend in the silver and black is if he helps Derek Carr reach his potential, and helps take the Raiders into a deep playoff run. The only thing Antonio Brown is missing from being considered a legend is a Super Bowl ring, and if he can get that with the Raiders, he can go down as a legend here.
Out of the young players on the roster, a few names come to mind, but Gareon Conley is the most proven as of now. When healthy, Conley has shown glimpses of greatness, and Conley really started to shine late in the season last year.
Conley was the Raiders first round pick in 2017, but missed most of his rookie season. During the second half of his sophomore season, Gonley went up against some of the best wide receivers in the NFL, and held them to little production. Against the Chiefs and Steelers, Gonley held Tyreek Hill and Antonio Brown to a total of six catches and 48 yards.
If Conley can continue to produce like that, there is no reason that he won’t be able to become one of the great Raiders corners along side Willie Brown, Lester Hayes, and Charles Woodson. With Antonio Brown testing Conley every day in practice, he should continue to make huge improvements, and at 23 years old, the sky is the limit for the young star out of Ohio State.