Building a 20-0 Las Vegas Raiders Roster – Special Teams

As I was filling out my 20-0 team, which I highly recommend to those that enjoy football history, I had the idea of doing one for the Raiders. Obviously, going 20-0 in the modern NFL is basically impossible, however what if there was a way to build an entire historical roster regardless of era & send them into the NFL right now to compete. The Raiders franchise is historic, there’s plenty of talent, and most importantly, there’s plenty of single seasons. Lets imagine every team gets to build a possible 20-0 team to matchup, what would Las Vegas/Oakland/Los Angeles look like?

This roster isn’t build off who would give the Raiders the best possible roster on the field, but specifically on a year to year basis. For example, while Davante Adams isn’t the best Raiders receiver of all time, his 2022 season certainly is among the best, if not the best, in Raiders history. Additionally, no factor of awards, all-pro, pro-bowl, or team success is factored into this; just the simple baseline season regardless if said player won the Super Bowl, MVP, or the team finished the year 0-16 (they didn’t but you get the point).

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If you have not read the Offense, Defense please read those to see the full roster
(these may not be live at the time of reading)

* Key Note: Players may appear on Defense or Offense, as well*

Kicker: Daniel Carlson – 2022
Stats: 17 Games, 34/37 FG (92%), 11/13 50+, 35/36 PAT (97.2%)
Others Considered: Daniel Carlson (20, 21, 24), Sebastian Janikowski (2012)

• This list basically came down to Carlson, or Carlson, or well Carlson. In 2022, Carlson set the Raiders single season record for 50+ attempts, points, field goal completions, (by 4), and he was 4th in Raiders single season all time FG rate behind himself three other times. Carlson’s toughest competition here was his 2021 season where he completed a franchise record 40 field goals on 43 attempts, though Las Vegas also attempted 18 field goals shorter than 29 yards and he weirdly missed 3 PAT. Carlson finished the 2022 season as an All-Pro & Pro-Bowler having the Raiders best kicking season in history.

Punter: AJ Cole – 2023
Stats: 17 Games, 75 punts, 3783 yards (50.4 avg), 43.7 net yards/punt, 83 long, 8% touchbacks, 45% inside 20
Others Considered: Shane Lechler (2007-2011), Marquette King (2013, 2016), AJ Cole (2021-2025), Ray Guy

• It’s so difficult to determine what was AJ Cole’s best season, in 2022 he set an NFL record for touchback rate on 50+ attempts at just 1.5% with a 44% inside 20 rate. His 2023 season ranks 20th in Raiders franchise history for single season touchback rate, and his inside 20 rate ranks 4th behind himself three other times. In 2023, his 50.5 average is 3rd all time behind Shane Lechler, and his net yards/punt is 3rd all time. Overall it’s the only season by a Raiders punter to rank top five in inside 20 rate, average, net average. His 2021 season may have been his worst but he did have a FF which was fun to watch. Cole is on pace to be the Raiders best punter in history, and possibly the best NFL history where his 48.7 yards/punt ranks 1st all-time. As for Ray Guy, the hall of fame punter, is arguably the Raiders 3rd best punter at all time but out of respect he did get considered.

Long Snapper: Jon Condo – 2011
Stats: 16 Games, 6 tackles
Others Considered: Trent Sieg (2022, 2023), Jon Condo (2009)

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• In 2011, Raiders punter Shane Lechler was named a Pro-Bowler & All-Pro, as was kicker Sebastian Janikowski. Janikowski would go to convert 31 of 35 attempts, with an NFL long 61 yarder. Additionally, he missed 0 extra points, and had 0 blocked kicks. As for Lechler, he would lead the NFL with a long of 80 yards, see a 50.9 average, and led the NFL in net yards/punt.

Punt Returner: Johnnie Lee Higgins – 2008
Stats: 16 Games, 44 PR, 570 yards, 3 TD, 93 long, 13 average
Others Considered: Phillip Buchanon (2003), Greg Pruitt (1983), Desmond Howard (1997, 1998), George Atkinson (1968)

• I really wanted to pick Atkinson, and I also wanted to pick Howard. Atkinson had about 100 yards less, though his average was 0.8 yards higher. Additionally, him and Howard both had one less touchdown. Similar to that of Jacoby Ford at kick returner, the ability for Higgins to turn 6.8% of his returns for touchdowns is a game breaking threat. Additionally, while not fully important his ability to do so in the modern NFL which has seen elite special teams play does factor in here.