2 days ago
We hit 87 in our Raiders countdown to kickoff. Who wore it best and who's wearing it now
We hit 87 in our Raiders countdown to kickoff. Who wore it best and who's wearing it now
We've reached 87 days until the Raiders season opener at Foxboro against the Patriots, With our countdown at 87 days we take a look at who currently dons the number in Silver & Black and who has brought it the most distinction.
No. 87
Who's wearing it now: TE Michael Mayer
The Raiders traded up in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft to select Mayer at 35 overall. After a slow start, the Raiders were a bad team and found themselves in position to draft Brock Bowers, so they did. Instantly Mayer went from the guy they wanted bad enough to trade up to the top of the second round, to playing second fiddle to Bowers. Which, to be honest, if you are going to take a backseat to anyone, he's the guy who you can't really feel too bad about.
Mayer enters his third season with 460 yards and two touchdowns on 48 catches. After missing six games last season to 'personal reasons' he returned and has settled into his role as the Raiders' number two tight end. He and Bowers have the potential to make for one of the better one-two punches at tight end in the league.
Who wore it best: TE Dave Casper
A Hall of Famer. One of the greatest tight ends in NFL history. The man of whom the legendary 'Ghost to the Post' play is named after. He went to five straight Pro Bowls from 1976-1980 with four straight All Pro nods in there as well. And the Raiders won two Super Bowls during that time. In 1977 -- a year the Raiders did not win the Super Bowl -- Casper had five touchdowns in two playoff games.
