9 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, April 14, 2026, the number is 9.
Shane Lechler, No. 9
Shane Lechler is the pick at No. 9 because he turned punting into a weekly weapon for the Raiders. In Oakland, he consistently flipped fields and erased mistakes.
Lechler played for the Raiders from 2000-12. Over 13 seasons, he became one of the most decorated specialists in NFL history.
Why Lechler gets No. 9
Lechler is the best No. 9 because his Raiders production and efficiency stand alone. He punted 1,014 times for 48,215 yards, a 47.5-yard average.
Meanwhile, his honors back it up, including seven Pro Bowls and six All-Pro selections. That combination makes him the clear choice at this number.
Draft and background
Lechler was born Aug. 7, 1976, in Sealy, Texas. He attended East Bernard High School in Texas, then played at Texas A&M.
The Oakland Raiders drafted him in the fifth round (No. 142 overall) in 2000.
Other notable No. 9s
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Tyree Wilson, 2023-2025
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Billy Joe Hobert, 1995-1996
Career check
Lechler gave the Raiders a true advantage in the hidden-yardage game for more than a decade. For No. 9, his leg and resume make it decisive.
Next up tomorrow: No. 8.
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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.
