Cotton Davidson

#19 · Las Vegas Raiders

Retired 11 Years In The NFL

🏆 2× AFL All-Star (1961, 1963)

Cotton's

HAIR

15.2

HeyTC AI Rating

Questions about Cotton Davidson or the Raiders?

Cotton Davidson Legacy

HEYTC AI

Cotton Davidson was the lanky Baylor gunslinger from Gatesville, Texas—a first-round Colts pick who traded NFL stability for AFL grit, punting his way through Army service, a Calgary detour, and Hank Stram's Dallas Texans before thriving as Tom Flores' tag-team partner with the Oakland Raiders. What set him apart? That cannon arm uncorked a tight spiral under pressure, earning AFL All-Star nods and MVP honors in the league's inaugural 1961 game, plus rings in '62 and '67 amid the wild pre-merger frontier. A coach's coach back at Baylor, family man to the core, he left us in 2022 at 91, forever the hometown hero who chased glory without losing his roots.

Cotton Davidson passed away on December 23, 2022 at the age of 91.

Cotton Davidson Rating Breakdown

Season

Subpar

Fantasy

Subpar

Playoffs

Non-Factor

Overall

NPC

6 years with the Raiders

Cotton Davidson Career Stats via Wikipedia

11,760 Pass Yards

73 Touchdowns

108 INTs

0.0% Comp %

15.2 HAIR

19-33 Record

Frequently Asked Questions About Cotton Davidson

Is Cotton Davidson in the Pro Football Hall of Fame?

Cotton Davidson never made Canton, and honestly, his résumé tells you why. He threw for 11,760 yards and 73 touchdowns across ten seasons with the Raiders, Texans, and Colts, earning two Pro Bowl nods. But here's the thing: Davidson holds the dubious distinction of the lowest career completion percentage in NFL history at 43.9% among qualified passers. That's not Hall of Fame material—that's a cautionary tale about accuracy.

How would Cotton Davidson perform in today's NFL?

Davidson would get absolutely shredded in today's pass-happy NFL. Modern rules are designed to protect receivers and QBs, rewarding precision and touch—exactly what Davidson lacked. His 242.2 passing yards per game wouldn't cut it in an era where 300 is the baseline. The guy completed less than 44% of his passes; he'd be benched by Week 3 in 2026. The game has evolved light-years beyond his skill set.

How does Cotton Davidson compare to Jim Plunkett?

Jim Plunkett makes Davidson look like a practice squad guy. Plunkett's 55.6 rating absolutely demolishes Davidson's 15.24—that's not even close. Both wore the Silver and Black, but Plunkett actually won Super Bowls and proved he could execute when it mattered most. Davidson was a placeholder; Plunkett was a champion. Different eras, wildly different impact.