brennan jackson
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New Las Vegas Raiders DE Brennan Jackson.
The Las Vegas Raiders roster is mostly set after they cut it down to 53 players. However, there’s going to continue to be tinkering all season.
The Raiders weren’t the only team that had to cut a lot of players, so many guys became available. Defensive line depth is one of the main concerns with the team’s roster right now. The Los Angeles Rams decided to waive former fifth-round pick Brennan Jackson on cutdown day, but he won’t get a chance to test free agency.
The Raiders claimed Jackson, which means they inherit his rookie contract. He was drafted by the Rams last season and played in seven games, making one start.
Jackson didn’t make too much of an impact, as he only had three combined tackles and no sacks. He was named Second-team All-Pac-12 twice at Washington State and has some solid athletic ability for a player his size.
Jackson goes straight to the active roster, which means the Raiders like his potential. He’ll be fighting for playing time behind Malcolm Koonce, Maxx Crosby and Tyree Wilson, but since the defensive line isn’t too deep, he’ll have a chance to see the field early. He’ll just need to make the most of the snaps he gets.
Raiders Sign Stone Forsythe, Waive Thayer Munford
The Raiders haven’t made too many additions following the flurry of players who became available. Luckily, they did find some help on the offensive line.
The team brought in veteran offensive tackle Stone Forsythe for a tryout and liked what they saw, so they signed him to the roster. He spent the offseason with the New York Giants, but couldn’t make the team.
He was previously with the Seattle Seahawks and was drafted in 2021 when Pete Carroll was still with the team. The massive 6-foot-8 tackle started 14 games in four seasons with the Seahawks, and it appears he could be one of the Raiders’ swing tackles this season.
To make room for Forsythe, Las Vegas waived Thayer Munford. There was a time when he looked like a potential starter at right tackle and started 10 games in 2023. Unfortunately, he hadn’t been consistent enough for the team. That said, he could be a candidate to get back on the practice squad if he clears waivers.
Laki Tasi Named Most Surprising Cut
The Raiders had to cut nearly 40 players to get down to 53, so of course, there would be players they didn’t want to cut. One of them was offensive lineman Laki Tasi. The Athletic’s Tashan Reed named him the most surprising roster cut.
“Tasi signed with the Raiders through the International Player Pathway program this offseason,” Reed wrote. “He grew up playing rugby in Australia and had no prior experience playing football before this year, but the Raiders were intrigued by his unique combination of size, length and athleticism. He started off playing defensive line, but they switched him to offensive line in OTAs. He got playing time in the preseason at guard and showed some flashes. Given his potential and the Raiders’ lack of roster depth, it’s interesting that they risked him getting claimed on the waiver wire. If he makes it through, they’ll be allotted a 17th practice squad spot they can use to bring him back.”
Luckily, Tasi cleared waivers and is on the practice squad, but the Raiders took a risk by waiving him.