The preseason and training camp are in the books, and the NFL’s cutdown day is on Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. PST. So, let’s take one last stab at predicting the Las Vegas Raiders’ 53-man roster heading into the regular season.
To account for players who could get put on injured reserve during roster cuts, I’ve added an ‘Injured’ designation for the final projection. It’s important to note that the league has changed its rules, where teams can have two players begin the year on IR but designate them to return at some point during the season. Unlike in years past, when injured players would have to make the 53-man roster first and then get put on IR to avoid missing the enitre season.
As a reminder from last time:
For simplicity, it’s assumed that 25 offensive players, 25 defensive players and three specialists will make the roster in this exercise. That also can change as training camp goes on, as the coaching staff may decide to keep a different number of players at each position than what’s listed below.
To account for that, any player who has a star (*) next to their name means their status could change based on how many roster spots the coaching staff is allocating to that position. In other words, a ‘backup’ with a star is a ‘cut’ projection if the Raiders keep one fewer player than what’s listed below and vice versa.
Quarterback (3)
Previously:
Starter: Geno Smith
Backups: Aidan O’Connell, Cam Miller*
Cut: no one
Starter: Geno Smith
Backups: Veteran signing, Cam Miller*
Injured: Aidan O’Connell
With O’Connell out six to eight weeks, it seems inevitable that he’ll land on injured reserve. Also, head coach Pete Carroll said after last weekend’s game that the team is looking for veteran backup quarterback options. Who that will be is anyone’s guess, but a roster spot will need to be available for a QB, one way or another.
Running Back (4)
Previously:
Starter: Ashton Jeanty
Backups: Raheem Mostert, Zamir White, Dylan Laube*
Cut: Sincere McCormick, Chris Collier
Starter: Ashton Jeanty
Backups: Raheem Mostert, Zamir White, Dylan Laube*
Cut: Sincere McCormick, Chris Collier (already reported)
That last running back spot could get interesting. Laube offers more value on special teams than McCormick, and the latter only got eight carries during the preseason. Unless the coaching staff decides to keep five backs, he’ll likely be left off the roster.
Wide Receiver (6)
OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 30: Amari Cooper #89 of the Oakland Raiders runs up the sideline with the ball against the Cleveland Browns during the second quarter of their NFL football game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on September 30, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 30: Amari Cooper #89 of the Oakland Raiders runs up the sideline with the ball against the Cleveland Browns during the second quarter of their NFL football game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on September 30, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Previously:
Starters: Jakobi Meyers, Tre Tucker, Dont’e Thornton Jr.
Backups: Jack Bech, Tommy Mellott, Alex Bachman*
Cut: Shedrick Jackson*, Collin Johnson, Phillip Dorsett, Justin Shorter, Marquez Callaway, Ketron Jackson Jr.
Starters: Jakobi Meyers, Tre Tucker, Dont’e Thornton Jr.
Backups: Jack Bech, Tommy Mellott, Amari Cooper
Cut: Shedrick Jackson*, Justin Shorter, Alex Bachman
Already cut: Ketron Jackson Jr., Marquez Callaway, Phillip Dorsett II, Collin Johnson
Meyers asking for a trade right before cutdown day could throw the entire wide receiver projection for a loop. Also, Cooper’s addition significantly changes the analysis here, unless Meyers gets dealt ahead of the deadline. Cooper’s signing likely means Bachman gets cut while Jackson heads to the practice squad, barring Jackson getting claimed on waivers. Shorter still has a chance to make the team, given his ability to also play tight end, but he still feels like a long shot at this point.
Tight End (3)
Previously:
Starter: Brock Bowers
Backups: Michael Mayer, Ian Thomas
Cut: Qadir Ismail, Carter Runyon, Albert Okwuegbunam*
Starter: Brock Bowers
Backups: Michael Mayer, Ian Thomas
Cut: Carter Runyon*, Albert Okwegbunam
Already Cut: Qadir Ismail
It seems like the three tight ends have been locked in since the beginning of training camp, but Runyon has made a decent push if the coaching staff wants to keep four players at the position. Still, the practice squad seems more likely for the undrafted free agent.
Offensive Line (9)
Previously:
Starters: Kolton Miller, Dylan Parham, Jordan Meredith, Jackson Powers-Johnson, DJ Glaze
Backups: Thayer Munford Jr., Alex Cappa, Caleb Rogers, Charles Grant
Cut: Will Putnam, Jarrod Hufford, Dalton Wagner, Gottlieb Ayedze, Parker Clements, Laki Tasi (IPP)*, Atonio Mafi
Starters: Kolton Miller, Dylan Parham, Jordan Meredith, Jackson Powers-Johnson, DJ Glaze
Backups: Thayer Munford Jr.*, Alex Cappa, Caleb Rogers, Charles Grant
Cut: Will Putnam, Dalton Wagner, Laki Tasi (IPP)*, Atonio Mafi
Already Cut: Gottlieb Ayedze, Parker Clements, Jarrod Hufford
If it weren’t for the fact that Munford is the only backup tackle option who has NFL experience, he’d be a good candidate as a surprise cut. He’s been bad in the preseason, which could open the door for Wagner to make the team. It just comes down to how much the coaching staff trusts Grant and/or Wagner to handle the swing tackle duties, even though neither has any regular-season snaps.
Defensive End (4)
Previously:
Starters: Maxx Crosby, Malcolm Koonce
Backups: Tyree Wilson, Charles Snowden
Cut: Jah Joyner, Andre Carter II*, Ovie Oghoufo, Jahfari Harvey
Starters: Maxx Crosby, Malcolm Koonce
Backups: Tyree Wilson, Charles Snowden
Cut: Ovie Oghoufo*, Jahfari Harvey
Already cut: Andre Carter II, Jah Joyner
To be honest, I was going to project Carter to make the roster because I thought he played better than Snowden in the preseason. However, the Army alum was part of Las Vegas’ first wave of cuts on Monday. That should remove some ambiguity at defensive end, as the question now turns to how many spots are available?
Defensive Tackle (5)
Previously:
Starters: Adam Butler, Jonah Laulu
Backups: Zach Carter*, Tonka Hemingway, JJ Pegues, Thomas Booker IV
Cut: Keondre Coburn, Tank Booker, Leki Fotu*, Treven Ma’ae
Starters: Adam Butler, Jonah Laulu
Backups: Zach Carter*, Tonka Hemingway, JJ Pegues, Thomas Booker IV
Cut: Leki Fotu, Treven Ma’ae*
Already Cut: Keondre Coburn, Tank Booker
Defensive tackle is an interesting position group where how many spots are available is up in the air, and the decision also comes down to which type of interior defenders the coaching staff is looking for. If they want a true nose tackle, Fotu has a chance to make the team. But if they go with the best player overall, Carter gets the nod. Finally, Ma’ae has potential but seems like a better pick to land on the practice squad.
Linebacker (6)
Previously:
Starters: Germaine Pratt, Elandon Roberts
Backups: Devin White, Jamal Adams, Tommy Eichenberg, Cody Lindenberg*
Cut: Amari Gainer, Jaylon Smith, Michael Barrett, Matt Jones
Starters: Germaine Pratt, Elandon Roberts
Backups: Devin White, Jamal Adams, Tommy Eichenberg, Cody Lindenberg*
Cut: Matt Jones
Already cut: Amari Gainer, Jaylon Smith, Michael Barrett
It will be interesting to see who the Raiders keep between rookies Lindenberg and Jones. The former was better during the three preseason games, but the latter appeared to be higher on the depth chart. It’s also not out of the question that both get cut and end up on the practice squad.
Cornerback (5)
Previously:
Starters: Eric Stokes, Darien Porter
Backups: Decamerion Richardson, Darnay Holmes, Kyu Blu Kelly
Cut: Greedy Vance*, Sam Webb, John Humphrey, JT Woods
Starters: Eric Stokes, Kyu Blu Kelly
Backups: Decamerion Richardson, Darnay Holmes, Darien Porter
Cut: Greedy Vance*, JT Woods
Already Cut: Sam Webb, John Humphrey
Vance made a push to earn a roster spot with his performance in Arizona. But it could be too little, too late as he struggled in the first two games. Regardless, he’s another practice squad candidate.
Safety (5)
Previously:
Starters: Jeremy Chinn (nickel), Isaiah Pola-Mao, Chris Smith II
Backups: Lonnie Johnson Jr.* (injured), Thomas Harper
Cut: Terrell Edmunds*, Trey Taylor, Hudson Clark
Starters: Jeremy Chinn, Isaiah Pola-Mao
Backups: Chris Smith II, Terrell Edmunds, Thomas Harper*
Cut: Trey Taylor
Injured: Lonnie Johnson Jr.
Already Cut: Hudson Clark
Harper is an interesting case. Heading into training camp, he was considered to be competing for a starting spot. However, the second-year pro has been injured for the majority of the summer and could end up getting left off the roster. This will be an interesting position group to keep tabs on during roster cuts.
Specialists (3)
Kicker: Daniel Carlson
Punter: A.J. Cole III
Long Snapper: Jacob Bobenmoyer
If you’re still reading, (real) Raiders football is almost back, baby!
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