We have reached 9 days until the Raiders season opener at Foxboro against the Patriots, That’s right, we’re in to single digits! With our countdown at 9 days we take a look at who currently dons the number in Silver & Black and who has brought it the most distinction.
No. 9
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 09: Tyree Wilson #9 of the Las Vegas Raiders warms up against the Green Bay Packers at Allegiant Stadium on October 09, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Raiders defeated the Packers 17-13. (Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images)
Who’s wearing it now: DL Tyree Wilson
Wilson was the seventh overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Texas Tech. He came rare physical gifts, including extremely long arms, which had the Raiders envisioning an unstoppable force on the edge, bending around tackles and taking down the quarterback. What they got was a player who couldn’t seem to time up the snap or get off the blocks fast enough to make those gifts work in his favor. These days, he works inside more than he does outside. He has shown some progress in that area, but still seems to oddly miss tackles no one with his wingspan should miss. But the team is still hoping he can get a little closer to that proverbial high ceiling he had coming out of college.
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Who wore it best: P Shane Lechler
Arguably the greatest punter in NFL history. Certainly the favorite to become the second ever Hall of Fame punter after Ray Guy finally got in back in 2014. Seven times Lechler went to the Pro Bowl, Six times he was an All Pro and five times he led the league in yards per punt including 51.1 yards per punt in 2009 which was the highest mark in NFL modern era until 2022 and 50.8 yards per punt in 2011 which was third.
This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: Raiders countdown to kickoff No. 9: Who wore it best, wearing it now