Raiders draft countdown: Jack Tatum is best No. 31

Originally posted on Dice City Sports | By Mark Hebert | Last updated Mar 23, 2026 11:02 AM ET

Thirty-one 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, March 23, the number is 31.

Jack Tatum, No. 31

Jack Tatum, known as “The Assassin,” is the pick for No. 31 because he was the tone-setter of the Raiders secondary in the 1970s. He played with intimidation, range, and ball production, then helped deliver a Super Bowl title.

Tatum played 120 games for the Raiders and started all 120. He recorded 30 interceptions for 636 yards, and he also forced fumbles in a defense built to take the ball and punish mistakes.

The “Assassin”
Jack Tatum#Raiders #BigHitsThread pic.twitter.com/0JtlGElXR3

— Old Time Football

Image | Source: Dice City Sports
(@Ol_TimeFootball) June 4, 2019

Why Tatum gets No. 31

No. 31 has other names, but Tatum separates with a full Raiders career, elite reputation, and takeaway production. Thirty interceptions from a safety spot in that era is the separator for this number.

He also connects directly to the No. 32 story. “The Assassin” wore No. 31 for his first three NFL seasons, then later wore No. 32, which is why his name belongs in both parts of this countdown.

Draft and background

Tatum was born Nov. 18, 1948, in Cherryville, N.C. He played at Passaic High School in New Jersey before starring at Ohio State.

The Oakland Raiders drafted him in the first round, 19th overall, in 1971. He spent nine seasons in Silver and Black and became one of the defining defenders of the franchise.

Other notable No. 31s

Phillip Buchanon, 2002-2004
Hiram Eugene, 2007-2010

Career check

Tatum’s Raiders resume is complete: 120 starts, 30 interceptions, a Super Bowl ring, and a legacy tied to how the Raiders defense wanted to play. For No. 31, the best Raider is Jack Tatum.

Next up tomorrow: No. 30.

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

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