Oakland Raiders All-50 team: Wide receivers and tight ends

July 3, 2:47 AMOakland Raiders ExaminerPatrick Patterson

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Zach Miller (80) seems destined to be mentioned on these lists in the future
Photo by Patrick A. Patterson

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Today's continuation of the All-50 series moves towards receivers. I am combining the receivers and tight ends into one post, although will have them separated within this post. Tight End is a position that has a real legacy of greatness for the Oakland Raiders. Wide receiver, on the other hand has some definite greats, but beyond the top few, it becomes a best of what's left rather fast.

Wide Receivers:

Art Powell: Powell joined the Raiders for the 1963 season along with the new coach, Al Davis. Powell only spent four years in Silver and Black, but had over 1,000 receiving yards in three of those seasons, as well as double digit touchdowns in each of his four seasons as a Raider.

Warren Wells: Like Powell, his time in Silver and Black was not long, but he was a key threat for the Raider teams of the late sixties. He was the vertical threat across from Freddie B, before there was a Cliff Branch. Wells averaged a mind numbing 23.3 yards per reception during his time as a Raider. An interesting side note, Wells was drafted by the Detroit Lions and played for them in 1964, but was drafted by Uncle Sam shortly after, and he spent two years in the army before receiving an honorable discharge and becoming a Raider.

Fred Biletnikoff: Freddie B is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was the MVP of the Oakland Raiders dismantling of the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl XI. He is one of the best receivers ever.

Cliff Branch: He was the deep threat that opened things up for Freddie B. If there was any justice in the selection process, he would be enshrined in Canton next to his teammate. Branch was a key part of three Raider championships.

Tim Brown: Maybe its the 9 consecutive 1000 yard receiving seasons, or maybe its the fact that he retired holding all nearly all of the Raider career receiving records, but Brown deserves to be on this list. What makes Brown's greatness all the more remarkable is the rogues gallery of quarterbacks he caught passes from over the years.

Tight Ends:

Raymond Chester: Chester didn't have great numbers as a Raider, but he made the catch in the clutch. He was also a big part of the Raiders rushing success with his blocking skills.

Dave Casper: Casper is a member of the Hall of Fame. He was an incredible receiver and a devastating blocker.  He was the one who made the catch in the so named "Ghost to the Post" game.

Todd Christensen: Christensen led the Raiders in receiving for four consecutive years from the tight end position. He also had three years with over 1000 yards receiving. He should be enshrined in Canton.

Ethan Horton: Horton didn't have the numbers of a Christensen or Casper, but he was a reliable option on teams that did not have many options not named Tim Brown.

Zach Miller: Miller is only in his third year, but he is rapidly carving a name for himself alongside the greats at the tight end position in Raider history.

NOTE: If you have any questions you would like answered in a future article, email them to me at patrick at tfdssports.com