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Raiders draft countdown: Gene Upshaw is best No. 63

Originally posted on Dice City Sports | By Mark Hebert | Last updated Feb 19, 2026 10:31 AM ET

Sixty-three 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, Feb. 19, the number is 63.

Gene Upshaw, No. 63

Gene Upshaw is the pick for No. 63 because he is one of the greatest Raiders linemen ever. He spent his entire career in Silver and Black and became the standard at guard.

Upshaw played 217 games for the Raiders and started 207. He was a seven-time Pro Bowl selection, a five-time All-Pro and a key part of championship teams.

The separator is a Hall of Fame career built entirely with the Raiders.

A true @Raiders great: Gene Upshaw. #NFL100 #RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/wbymIzGZjq

— NFL (@NFL) December 14, 2019

Why Upshaw gets No. 63

Upshaw paired durability with winning. He was part of an AFL championship team and won two Super Bowls with the Raiders.

He also kept impacting the league after he retired. Upshaw went on to lead the NFL Players Association, becoming one of football’s most influential labor voices.

Draft and background

Upshaw was born Aug. 15, 1945, in Robstown, Texas. He played at Robstown High School in Texas before starring at Texas A&M-Kingsville.

Then the Oakland Raiders drafted him in the first round, 17th overall, in 1967. He later entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987.

Other notable No. 63s

Barret Robbins, 1995-2003
John Gesek, 1987-1989

Career check

Upshaw’s resume is the type that ends debates: a Raiders-only career, elite honors and multiple titles. For No. 63, there is no stronger name.

Next up tomorrow: No. 62.

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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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