Raiders draft countdown: Art Powell is best No. 84

Originally posted on Dice City Sports | By Mark Hebert | Last updated Jan 29, 2026 10:21 AM ET

Eighty-four days remain until the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, Pa., April 23-25, 2026. After a 3-14 season in 2025, the Las Vegas Raiders hold the No. 1 overall pick as this daily countdown continues through the franchise’s best players by jersey number.

Today, January 29, the number is 84.

Art Powell, No. 84

Art Powell is the pick for No. 84 because his Raiders production is still the gold standard for the number. In four seasons from 1963-1966, he delivered game-changing output every week.

Powell played 56 games for the Raiders and started all 56. He caught 254 passes for 4,491 yards and 50 touchdowns.

The separator is 50 touchdowns in four seasons.

Powell averaged 17.7 yards per catch, so he was not just a red-zone target. He also ripped off explosive plays, including an 85-yard catch.

56 years after his last game, the memory of Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024 Senior Finalist Art Powell lives on.#RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/aCWNNIbSJZ

— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) January 16, 2024

Why Powell gets No. 84

The No. 84 list has strong names, but none match Powell’s scoring volume in Silver and Black. His 50 touchdowns remain the clearest case in this countdown so far.

Powell also carried that production across a heavy workload. He averaged 4.5 catches and 80.2 yards per game with the Raiders.

Draft and background

Arthur Louis Powell was born Feb. 25, 1937, in Dallas, Texas. He played at San Jose State.

The Philadelphia Eagles drafted him in the 11th round of the 1959 NFL Draft. He later became a star for the Raiders and earned major league-wide recognition in his career, including multiple Pro Bowls and All-Pro honors.

Other notable No. 84s

Tony Cline, 1970-1975
Jerry Porter, 2000-2007
Jessie Hester, 1985-1987
Derrick Ramsey, 1978-1983
Mike Dyal, 1989-1990
Max Boydston, 1962
Cordarrelle Patterson, 2017
Kenny Shedd, 1996-1999
Javon Walker, 2008-2009

Career check

Powell’s Raiders line is simple and dominant: 254 catches, 4,491 yards and 50 touchdowns in 56 games. For No. 84, the touchdowns and explosiveness make it his number.

Next up tomorrow: No. 83.

Dice City Sports editor Mark Hebert covers the Vegas Golden Knights, Las Vegas Raiders, Athletics, and UNLV baseball and softball. He has 24 years of journalism experience, is also a senior reporter at Exhibit City News, and previously covered the Dallas Stars and Texas Rangers. Follow him on X or connect on LinkedIn.

This article first appeared on Dice City Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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