Las Vegas Raiders: 50 greatest players in franchise history

For a formerly undrafted player out of the University of Oregon, Dave Grayson was certainly a handful in the Raiders’ defensive backfield in the 1960s. Grayson would spend his first four professional seasons with the Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs franchise before joining the Raiders in 1965.

He came to Oakland in a deal for former All-League cornerback Fred Williamson. Grayson had already made it to three AFL All-Star Games and earned All-League honors in 1964 before suiting up with the Silver and Black. He was just getting started in his very good pro football career.

Grayson would make back-to-back AFL All-Star games in his first two years with the Raiders in 1965 and 1966. He would make his second All-League first team in 1965. After being a part of the 1967 AFL Championship team, Grayson would take on two new roles with the team: first as a kick returner and then as a safety.

Grayson made two more AFL All-Star Games in 1968 and 1969, being named All-League for the fourth time in his career in 1969. He would retire after the 1970 season at 31 years of age. Grayson’s Pro Football Hall of Fame case is compelling, as he had 48 interceptions in 10 professional seasons. However, he will likely just remain in the Hall of Very Good.