We hit 54 in our Raiders countdown to kickoff. Who wore it best and who's wearing it now

We've reached 54 days until the Raiders season opener at Foxboro against the Patriots, With our countdown at 54 days we take a look at who currently dons the number in Silver & Black and who has brought it the most distinction.

No. 54

Who's wearing it now: LB Jaylon Smith

Just a few years ago, Smith was a Pro Bowler. Now he can't seem to stick on a roster. Since 2023, he has appeared in one game and it was for the Raiders. He was out of football last season. Quite a fall for the once highly regarded linebacker.

A second round pick out of Notre Dame in 2016, Smith became a full time starter in his second season in Dallas. In his third season he logged 143 tackles and was in the Pro Bowl. Two seasons later, he couldn't stick with a team. Four games into his fifth season, he was cut by the Cowboys. The Packers signed him and after four games in Green Bay, he was cut again. Then the Giants signed him for the final four games of the season. He actually stuck around for the next season, but that was his last full season as an NFL player, let alone as a starter. Now two years later, the 30-year-old is just trying to keep his NFL career alive as long as possible.

Who wore it best: LB Greg Biekert

Quite the draft gem as a seventh round pick in 1993. Biekert became the full time starter in his second season and immediately put up 100 tackles. He was a big part of their resurgence in the late 90s averaging 132 tackles per season from 1998-2001.

It was Biekert who recovered the Tom Brady fumble forced by Charles Woodson that was overruled by the bogus application of the Tuck Rule. Unfortunately for Biekert, he would not be on the team when the Raiders finally broke through to the Super Bowl following the 2002 season, having been cut prior to the start of that season in favor of Bill Romanowski.

This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: Raiders countdown to kickoff No. 54: Who wore it best, wearing it now