Oakland Raiders: Top 20 Draft Picks In Franchise History

#20:  Matt Millen (43rd overall, 1980)

Sometimes it’s not about the individual accolades that makes a player great.  It’s the leadership and the stubborn refusal to lose every week, driving his team to be great.  Matt Millen wasn’t the fastest linebacker on the field when he arrived in Oakland in 1980, but it didn’t long to realize that the Raiders had brought aboard a fiery leader their defense sorely needed.  His intelligence, strength and toughness were apparent around the line of scrimmage on every play.

During his time with the Raiders he helped them claim two of their Lombardi trophies in 1980 and 1983, masterminding a defense that was to become one of the greats.  It’s often forgotten he also never missed a game unless it was during a season shortened by strikes.  He may have reached just a single Pro Bowl in his time with the team, but his value went far beyond that.  Millen helped carry the Raider commitment to excellence into 1980s.

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