The Raiders hold the sixth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, something the team has done just one other time in franchise history. The pick came in 1988 and yielded Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Tim Brown, who went on to play 16 seasons for the Silver and Black.
Brown remains the Raiders' all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns, but it wasn't a foregone conclusion he'd be available by the time the Raiders were on the clock.
"There were a couple teams in between that we thought may take me, and we were really afraid about that," Brown said. "Cincinnati (fifth) being one, Detroit (third) being the other, because I knew both of those teams were looking for a guy to come in right away to play that position."
"It was really important for me to get to a team that didn't need a savior as a receiver right off the bat," he added. "My last year at Notre Dame, I was in a wishbone offense. I was a running back. Even though I knew I was going to play receiver in the league, I didn't want to come in day one and have that pressure of having to learn the receiver position again."
Brown waited and so did the Raiders.
"A little different than today," Brown said with a laugh, recalling his draft day experience.
The inaugural NFL Draft was held in 1936 after a proposal from Philadelphia Eagles co-owner Bert Bell. In 1980, despite skepticism of a national appetite for draft-related content, the event was placed on broadcast television for the first time. By 1988, interest in the NFL Draft had continued to grow but it remained a far cry from the multi-day media spectacle players and fans experience now.
"I was in my little cubby apartment in South Bend, Indiana, waiting for a phone call to come in," Brown said. "I had four or five of my teammates, maybe a few more, that were there with me. But yeah, it was eight, nine, 10 people in a room, just waiting to get a phone call."
Atlanta selected Auburn defensive end Aundray Bruce with the first overall pick. Kansas City used the second pick on a defensive player and Detroit and Cincinnati both opted to take defensive backs. By the time pick No. 6 came around, Wisconsin tackle Paul Gruber was the lone offensive player off the board.
Then, Brown's phone rang. When he answered, Ron Wolf of the Raiders personnel operations was on the line.
"I remember him saying, 'Do you want to be a Raider?' and I started screaming," Brown said.
"I was super, super excited, man. I really was. I knew James Lofton was there already, Willie Gault. … Mervyn Fernandez was there; I knew a little bit about him. Of course, Marcus Allen, Bo Jackson, Todd Christensen the tight end was a highly touted guy. So, I knew that was a place I could go and learn."
"I told my agent, 'Look, I really believe I can make a living returning punts and kicks in the NFL' and I think I proved him right. I broke every record there was my rookie year. But this receiver thing was going to take a minute."
Like Brown predicted, he contributed right away on special teams. His first NFL touch came on a kickoff return, which he ran back 97 yards for a touchdown. At the conclusion of his rookie year, Brown was named a Pro Bowler and led the league in kickoff returns, return yards and average yards per return.
But a knee injury in his second season led to a minimized, situation-specific role on offense in years three and four.
"I would have made a major mistake if I wouldn't have listened to the voices of the veteran guys in the locker room," Brown said. "You think you may be ready for something, but you really aren't because you don't know what that thing is. I really tried to listen to James and to Willie and to Mervyn as much as I possibly could. Marcus Allen and I became best of friends and we're still best of friends today.
"I think listening to those guys really helped me get through probably what would have been a tougher part of my career."
It wasn't until 1993 that Brown established himself as one of the league's premier receivers.
He recorded 80 receptions and 1,180 receiving yards that season, starting a streak of nine straight 1,000-yard seasons and 10 consecutive years with at least 75 receptions.
When Brown retired after the 2004 season, he ranked second in NFL history in receiving yards (14,934) and third all-time in receptions (1,094).
Now 30-plus years later, the sixth overall pick is back in the Raiders' possession. From televised workouts at pro days to around-the-clock coverage of pre-draft storylines, expectations are sky high for first-round draft picks.
Like veterans did for Brown when he entered the league, he is more than willing to pass his knowledge on to the next wave of players representing the Silver and Black.
"I would like to say the same things that were said to me," Brown said. "I would love to be able to mentor some of these guys, but that's not my decision, right? That's on them. If they ever want any words from Tim Brown, I'm always available."
With the Raiders holding the No. 6 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, take a look at some of the best photos of Raiders legend Tim Brown, who was selected at No. 6 overall in the 1988 NFL Draft by the Silver and Black.
Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) during a home game against the San Diego Chargers at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, September 4, 1988, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) during the regular season home game against the San Diego Chargers at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, September 4, 1988, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) during the regular season away game against the Houston Oilers at Houston Astrodome, Sunday, September 11, 1988, in Houston, Texas Stadium.
Los Angeles Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, September 18, 1988, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) during the regular season away game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium, Sunday, October 16, 1988, in Kansas City, Mo.
Los Angeles Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) during the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Rich Stadium, Sunday, December 11, 1988, in Orchard Park, N.Y.
Los Angeles Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) during the regular season home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, December 18, 1988, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) on the sidelines during the regular season home game against the Chicago Bears at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, September 30, 1990, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) during the regular season home game against the Green Bay Packers at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, November 11, 1990, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) during the regular season home game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, December 16, 1990, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) during the regular season home game against the Buffalo Bills at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, December 8, 1991, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) during a home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, December 22, 1991. in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, December 22, 1991, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) during the post season AFC Wild Card game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium, Saturday, December 28, 1991, in Kansas City, Mo.
Los Angeles Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) during the regular season away game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Riverfront Stadium, Sunday, September 13, 1992, in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Los Angeles Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) during the regular season home game against the Minnesota Vikings at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, September 5, 1993, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) during the regular season home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, December 12, 1993, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) during the post season home AFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, January 9, 1994, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Joe Robbie Stadium, Sunday, October 16, 1994, in Miami, Fla.
Los Angeles Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) during the regular season home game against the Houston Oilers at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, October 30, 1994, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) during the regular season home game against the New Orleans Saints at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, November 20, 1994, in Los Angeles, Calif.
The Oakland Raiders during the preseason home game against the St. Louis Rams at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Saturday, August 12, 1995, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Jeff Hostetler (15) and wide receiver Tim Brown (81) during the regular season home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, October 8, 1995, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) during the regular season home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, October 8, 1995, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) during the regular season home game against the Dallas Cowboys at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, November 19, 1995, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, December 24, 1995, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) during the regular season home game against the San Diego Chargers at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, September 22, 1996, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Houlihans Stadium, Sunday, November 10, 1996, in Tampa, Fla.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) kneeling on the sidelines during the regular season away game against the Seattle Seahawks at The Kingdome, Sunday, November 24, 1996, in Seattle, Wash.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) during the regular season home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, December 22, 1996, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) during the regular season home game against the St. Louis Rams at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, September 28, 1997, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) is introduced onto the field before the regular season home game against the New Orleans Saints at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, November 9, 1997, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) during the regular season home game against the Miami Dolphins at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, November 30, 1997, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) during the regular season home game against the New York Giants at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, September 13 1998, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) during the regular season home game against the New York Giants at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, September 13 1998, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) during the regular season home game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, October 25, 1998, in Oakland, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) during the regular season away game against the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park, Sunday, November 13, 1988, in San Francisco, Calif.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) during the regular season away game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium, Sunday, December 20, 1998, in San Diego, Calif.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) during the regular season away game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium, Sunday, December 26, 1999, in San Diego, Calif.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) during the regular season away game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium, Sunday, January 2, 2000, in Kansas City, Mo.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) during the regular season away game against the San Fransisco 49ers at 3Com Park at Candlestick Point, Sunday, October 8, 2000, in San Fransisco, Calif.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Mile High Stadium, Monday, November 13, 2000, in Denver, Colo.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) during the regular season home game against the Atlanta Falcons at Network Associates Coliseum, Sunday, November 26, 2000, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) during the postseason home AFC Championship game against the Baltimore Ravens at Network Associates Coliseum, Sunday, January 14, 2001, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) during the regular season away game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium, Sunday, September 9, 2001, in Kansas City, Mo.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) during the regular season away game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium, Sunday, September 9, 2001, in Kansas City, Mo.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) during the regular season home game against the San Diego Chargers at Network Associates Coliseum, Sunday, November 18, 2001, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Network Associates Coliseum, Sunday, December 9, 2001, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) warming up before the preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Network Associates Coliseum, Saturday, August 24, 2002, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) during the regular season away game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field, Sunday, September 15, 2002, in Pittsburgh Pa.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) during the regular season home game against the San Francisco 49ers at Network Associates Coliseum, Sunday, November 3, 2002, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) warming up before the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Invesco Field at Mile High, Monday, November 11, 2002, in Denver, Colo.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) warming up before the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Invesco Field at Mile High, Monday, November 11, 2002, in Denver, Colo.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) during the regular season away game against the Denver Broncos at Invesco Field at Mile High, Monday, November 11, 2002, in Denver, Colo.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) during the regular season home game against the New England Patriots at Network Associates Coliseum, Sunday, November 17, 2002, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) during the regular season away game against the Arizona Cardinals at Sun Devil Stadium, Sunday, November 24, 2002, in Tempe, Ariz.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) during the regular season home game against the New York Jets at Network Associates Coliseum, Monday, December 2, 2002, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) during the regular season home game against the New York Jets at Network Associates Coliseum, Monday, December 2, 2002, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) warming up before the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Pro Player Stadium, Sunday, December 15, 2002, in Miami Gardens, Fla.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) during the regular season away game against the Miami Dolphins at Pro Player Stadium, Sunday, December 15, 2002, in Miami Gardens, Fla.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Network Associates Coliseum, Saturday, December 28, 2002, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Jerry Rice (80) and wide receiver Tim Brown (81) with broadcasterJim Nantz during the trophy presentation after the AFC Championship postseason home game against the Tennessee Titans at Network Associates Coliseum, Sunday, January 19, 2003, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Network Associates Coliseum, Sunday, November 30, 2003, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) during the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Network Associates Coliseum, Sunday, November 30, 2003, in Oakland, Calif.
