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Raiders draft countdown: Marcel Reece is best No. 45

Originally posted on Dice City Sports | By Mark Hebert | Last updated Mar 9, 2026 9:17 AM ET

Forty-five 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 9, the number is 45.

Marcel Reece, No. 45

Marcel Reece is the pick for No. 45 because he was one of the most unique offensive weapons of the Raiders modern era. From 2009-2015, he lined up everywhere, produced as a receiver and runner, and consistently gave the offense a matchup problem out of the backfield.

Reece played 92 games for the Raiders and made 67 starts. He finished with 205 catches for 2,015 yards and 12 receiving touchdowns, then added 183 rushing attempts for 844 yards and three more scores.

In the 92 games that Marcel Reese served as the most underutilized player on the Raiders roster, he posted 2,015 recieving yards on 205 receptions and 12 touchdowns through the air. He also added 844 rushing yards, 3 rushing TDs, with a 4.6 yards per carry average. pic.twitter.com/GiHesGtE7T

— Chris Reed (@ChrisReed_NFL) July 12, 2018

Why Reece gets No. 45

No. 45 has a short list, and Reece separates with versatility and production. He was not just a fullback, he was an offensive piece who could carry the ball, flex out wide, and convert key downs.

The separator is 2,859 scrimmage yards and 15 total touchdowns in Silver and Black.

Draft and background

Reece was born June 23, 1985, in Los Angeles County. He played at Hesperia High School in California before starring at Washington.

He entered the NFL and became a long-term Raider, earning three Pro Bowl selections in his career while carving out a rare role in the offense.

Other notable No. 45s

Dave Grayson, 1965-1970
Mike Harden, 1989-1990
James Davis, 1982-1987

Career check

Reece’s Raiders resume is about production and flexibility, the kind that kept him valuable through coaching changes and roster turnover. For No. 45, the best Raider is Marcel Reece.

Next up tomorrow: No. 44.

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

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