Seventy-two 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 10, the number is 72.
Lincoln Kennedy, No. 72
Lincoln Kennedy is the pick for No. 72 because he was a tone-setter at right tackle during the Raiders return to contention. From 1996-2003, he gave the offense power, edge and a dependable anchor.
Kennedy played 121 games for the Raiders and started 119. That level of weekly availability is the separator for this number.
Why Kennedy gets No. 72
Kennedy paired longevity with high-end recognition. He earned three Pro Bowl selections and was a first-team All-Pro, which separates him from the rest of the No. 72 list.
He also helped define the Raiders identity up front during their early 2000s run. When the Raiders were at their best in that era, Kennedy was a core piece.
Draft and background
Kennedy was born Feb. 12, 1971, in York, Pa. He played at Samuel F.B. Morse High School in California before starring at Washington.
The Atlanta Falcons drafted him ninth overall in 1993. Later, he became a fixture in Silver and Black after arriving in Oakland.
Other notable No. 72s
- Don Mosebar, 1983-1994
- John Matuszak, 1976-1981
- Donald Penn, 2014-2018
- Jermaine Eluemunor, 2021-2023
Career check
There are strong names at No. 72, but Kennedy owns the best mix of starts and honors with the Raiders. With 119 starts in eight seasons, No. 72 belongs to him.
Next up tomorrow: No. 71.
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.
