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Raiders draft countdown: Art Thoms is best No. 80

Originally posted on Dice City Sports | By Mark Hebert | Last updated Feb 2, 2026 8:56 AM ET

Eighty 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, February 2, the number is 80.

Art Thoms, No. 80

Art Thoms is the pick for No. 80 because he gave the Raiders starting-level defensive line play for seven seasons. From 1969-1975, he was a steady interior presence in an era when production for defensive tackles did not come easy.

Thoms played 99 games, all with the Raiders. He finished with 30.0 sacks, a strong total for his position and time.

The separator is 30.0 sacks in 99 games from the interior.

OTD 1974
Art Thoms and Otis Sistrunk arrive at Oakland Coliseum smoking cigars.#Raiders #RaiderNation
pic.twitter.com/YqWKaAebwh

— Old Time Football

Image | Source: Dice City Sports
(@Ol_TimeFootball) November 17, 2025

Why Thoms gets No. 80

No. 80 has several notable names, but Thoms owns the best combination of longevity and defensive production for the franchise. Meanwhile, his seven-year run came as the Raiders defense built its identity.

He also brought consistency. Thoms stayed in the lineup year after year, which matters in a number group with more short-term stops.

Draft and background

Thoms was born Oct. 20, 1946, in Teaneck, N.J. He played at Brick Township High School in New Jersey before starring at Syracuse.

Then the Oakland Raiders drafted him in the first round, 22nd overall, in 1969. He went on to spend his entire pro career in Silver and Black.

Other notable No. 80s

Jerry Rice, 2001-2004
Dalva Allen, 1962-1964
Malcolm Barnwell, 1981-1984
Zach Miller, 2007-2010
James Lofton, 1987-1988
Rod Streater, 2012-2015
Daryl Hobbs, 1993-1996
Andre Rison, 2000

Career check

Thoms is not the flashiest name on the list, but the impact is there. Ninety-nine games and 30.0 sacks is why No. 80 belongs to him.

Next up tomorrow: No. 79.

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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