Las Vegas Raiders: 10 best wide receivers taken in the NFL Draft
By Matt Holder
10. Mike Siani
- 1972 / Round 1 / Pick 21
When people talk about Villanova Alumni who went on to become great Raiders, of course, Howie Long is the first name that comes to mind. However, Mike Siani was the original Wildcat to shine in the Silver and Black.
Drafted nine years before Long, Siani made an instant impact in Oakland as he set multiple rookie team records, which have since been broken, and was the runner-up to Franco Harris for the NFL’s Rookie of the Year award. Back in 1972, the wideout registered 28 receptions for 496 yards and five touchdowns in 14 games.
His sophomore campaign was even more impressive as he nearly doubled his reception and yardage totals – 45 and 742 – which second and first on the team that season, respectively.
Siani also helped the organization win its first Super Bowl trophy back in 1976. He ended up playing six years for the Raiders and totaled 128 receptions for 2,079 yards and 13 touchdowns. The Villanova product would go on to play three more seasons for the Baltimore Colts and retired in 1981.