Decisions, decisions for the Las Vegas Raiders, who have until Sunday to finalize the (first iteration) 53-man roster ahead of their Sept. 13 opener against the Miami Dolphins.
Here’s how it might look:
Quarterbacks (3)
In: Kirk Cousins, Fernando Mendoza, Aidan O’Connell
Out: Jacob Clark
Cousins was sharp during training camp, the first of Mendoza’s NFL career. The rookie flashed his talent throughout, but knows he has a lot to learn. The Raiders could trade O’Connell to a team in need of a backup quarterback, but they wouldn’t be wise to give him away and he could be Mendoza’s long-term backup. Clark could wind up on the practice squad.
Running backs (5)
In: Ashton Jeanty, Mike Washington Jr., Dylan Laube, Dare Ogunbowale, Connor Heyward
Out: Roman Hemby
Jeanty’s sprained right ankle shouldn’t sideline him for long, leaving Washington, the fourth-round rookie, to man the backfield while he’s gone. Laube is a scatback and special teamer. Ogunbowale provides a veteran presence. Heyward plays fullback, a key position in coach Klint Kubiak’s run-heavy offense. Hemby had his moments in camp and could work his way onto the practice squad — or even the active roster if Jeanty’s ankle sends him to injured reserve.
Receivers (5)
In: Tre Tucker, Jalen Nailor, Malik Benson, Jack Bech, Deven Thompkins
Out: Phillip Dorsett II, Shedrick Jackson, Chase Roberts, Brandon Johnson, E.J. Williams Jr., Dareke Young
Injured Reserve: Dont’e Thornton Jr.
Tucker and Nailor operated as the top two receivers during training camp with Benson showing his speed and craft as a sixth-round rookie. Bech gives the perimeter a physical presence. Thompkins, though smaller, was productive during camp, Dorsett, Jackson, Roberts, Johnson and Williams have had their moments as well. Young makes an impact on special teams.
Thornton missed most of training camp with an undisclosed injury.
Tight ends (3)
In: Brock Bowers, Michael Mayer, Ian Thomas
Out: Patrick Gurd, Albert Okwuegbunam Jr., Chris Myarick, Carter Runyon
Bowers is the team’s top receiving threat and dominated during training camp with Mayer positioned for more production based on his role during training camp. Thomas as a reliable backup outpaced the rest of the position group.
Offensive linemen (9)
In: Kolton Miller, DJ Glaze, Charles Grant, Tyler Linderbaum, Jordan Meredith, Jackson Powers-Johnson, Caleb Rogers, Spencer Burford, Trey Zuhn III
Out: Will Putnam, Atonio Mafi, Justin Pickett, Niklas Henning, Isaiah Jatta, Kamar Missouri, Dalton Wagner
Miller, Burford, Linderbuam and Glaze formed the first-team day in and day out with Powers-Johnson and Rogers sharing reps at right guard. Zuhn and Meredith offers positional versatility as Grant develops as a swing tackle, having popped some in preseason play. The rest of the group is battling for position on the practice squad.
Defensive linemen/edge rushers (10)
In: Maxx Crosby, Kwity Paye, Patrick Johnson, Malcolm Koonce, Tonka Hemingway, Adam Butler, Thomas Booker IV, Jonah Laulu, JJ Pegues, Folorunso Fatukasi
Out: Brandon Cleveland, Treven Ma’ae, Gary Smith III, Jahfari Harvey, Cian Sloane
IR: Keyron Crawford
Crosby and Paye are the bookend pass rushers, Johnson maximized his reps in practices in preseason play. Koonce returns as a veteran presence, albeit with a costly cap hit. Hemingway led the defensive tackle rotation — that added Fatukasi midway through training camp — with a steady showing the last several weeks. The rookie trio of Cleveland, Smith and Sloane could wind up on the practice squad.
Crawford improved throughout the course of training camp, but was injured in the preseason finale against the San Francisco 49ers and carted off the field.
Linebackers (5)
In: Nakobe Dean, Quay Walker, Cody Lindenberg, Tommy Eichenberg, Segun Olubi
Out: Cameron McGrone, Buddy Johnson, Xavier Sorey Jr.
Dean and Walker form the first-team tandem. Eichenberg and Lindenberg lead the second team. Olubi’s play on special teams gives him an edge. Sorey with his youth (in comparison to McGrone and Johnson) could wind up on the practice squad.
Defensive backs (10)
In: Eric Stokes, Darien Porter, Hezekiah Masses, Jermod McCoy, Taron Johnson, Jeremy Chinn, Isaiah Pola-Mao, Treydan Stukes, Dalton Johnson, Tristin McCollum
Out: Greedy Vance, Caleb Offord, Devin Lafayette, Decamerion Richardson, Devyn Perkins
IR: Chigozie Anusiem
Porter steadied the first-team defense opposite Stokes toward the end of camp. Masses and McCoy are promising rookie corners and Stukes and Johnson are promising rookie safeties. Johnson and Chinn are versatile veterans and Pola-Mao brings a veteran presence at safety alongside McCollum. Vance had a strong showing in camp and could vie for practice squad positioning with Richardson, a fourth-round draft pick in 2024.
Anusiem was injured in preseason play against the Houston Texans.
Specialists (3)
In: AJ Cole, Matt Gay, Alex Ward
Out: Kansei Matsuzawa, Tyler Duzansky
Gay will be the kicker, outperforming Matsuzawa in practices and games. Ward has been snapping his kicks — and to Cole, perhaps the NFL’s best punter.
Contact Sam Gordon at sgordon@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BySamGordon on X.
