LAS VEGAS — The calendar has flipped to mid-February, and the reality of the Las Vegas Raiders’ 3-14 campaign in 2025 has fully set in. But with the wreckage comes a golden ticket: the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. With exactly 66 days remaining until the franchise goes on the clock in Pittsburgh, we continue our daily countdown by analyzing the best players to wear the corresponding jersey number.
Today, the spotlight hits No. 66.
The Standard: Gabe Jackson (2014-2020)
In a franchise history defined by maulers and renegades, Gabe Jackson stands out as the definitive No. 66. Drafted in the third round (81st overall) out of Mississippi State in 2014, Jackson didn’t just make the roster; he became the interior anchor for the Derek Carr era.
Jackson’s resume is built on availability and violence. Over seven seasons with the Silver and Black, he played 100 games and started 99 of them. While other linemen rotated in and out due to injury or performance, Jackson remained a constant force at guard, specializing in the kind of heavy-handed run blocking that clears lanes for running backs before they even touch the ball.
His consistency is unmatched at this number. From his rookie year in Oakland to the transition to Las Vegas, Jackson brought a stabilizing presence to an offensive line that, at its peak in 2016, was arguably the best in football.
The Stat Sheet Anomaly
Offensive linemen rarely crack the box score, but Jackson managed it—twice. He officially recorded two career receptions during his Raiders tenure. The result? A grand total of minus-5 yards. It’s a perfect stat line for a trench warrior: he caught the ball not for glory, but likely to save a broken play, taking the hit so the quarterback didn’t have to.
“When you looked at that 2016 line, Gabe was the hammer. He didn’t say much, he just moved people against their will. That’s the highest compliment you can give a guard.”
— Former AFC West Scout
Honorable Mentions & The Others
- Cooper Carlisle (2007-2012): A steady veteran who started 95 games for the Raiders during a lean era, proving to be a reliable protector.
- Steve Sylvester (1975-1983): A three-time Super Bowl champion who played virtually every position on the offensive line, embodying the “next man up” mentality.
- Dylan Parham (2022-2025): The most recent custodian of the number, Parham brought versatility and grit to the interior line before the 2026 offseason shakeup.
The 2026 Outlook: 66 Days to Pittsburgh
With 66 days to go, the focus in Henderson is entirely on the No. 1 pick. After a disastrous three-win season, the mandate is clear: find the franchise quarterback. The Raiders haven’t held the first overall selection since taking JaMarcus Russell in 2007. This April in Pittsburgh, they have a chance to rewrite that narrative and find a cornerstone player—someone who can hopefully provide the same decade-long stability Gabe Jackson brought to the offensive line.
