Fifty-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 3, the number is 51.
Lance Johnstone, No. 51
Lance Johnstone is the pick for No. 51 because he gave the Raiders steady edge pressure for six seasons, piling up sacks and forced fumbles as a disruptive rotational rusher who often played bigger than his listed size.
Johnstone played 87 games for the Raiders with 57 starts from 1996-2001, producing 31.0 sacks in Silver and Black. He also flashed a knack for takeaways, forcing 19 fumbles during his Raiders run.
Why Johnstone gets No. 51
No. 51 has a handful of options, but Johnstone’s combination of longevity, sacks and forced fumbles separates him. He wasn’t just cleaning up plays—he was creating problems for quarterbacks and tackles week after week, and the production held up across multiple Raiders defenses.
Draft and background
Johnstone was born June 11, 1973, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He played at Germantown High School in Pennsylvania before starring at Temple.
The Oakland Raiders drafted him in the second round (57th overall) in 1996, and he immediately became part of the team’s pass-rush mix, building a strong Raiders résumé at No. 51.
Other notable No. 51s
- Aaron Wallace, 1990-1995
- Bob Nelson, 1980-1984
- Bruce Irvin, 2016-2018
- Malcolm Koonce, 2021-2025
- Bill Lewis, 1986-1988
Career check
Johnstone’s case is simple: six seasons, 31 sacks, and a turnover-producing edge presence. For No. 51, the best Raider is Lance Johnstone.
Next up tomorrow: No. 50.
Welcome to Dice City Sports — where we provide premium, exclusive, up-to-date news and analysis surrounding the Las Vegas sports scene. Follow along on social media, and check back for new articles daily!
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.
