The Raiders, along with every other NFL team, must trim their roster down starting next Tuesday to 75 players with another, bigger cut to follow on September 5th to get the “final” 53 players. That “final” roster is, of course, not final and is always a work in progress with changes and tweaks but for our purposes, it is the culmination of a training camp that began in late July.
Here are my guesses and thoughts as to who will be on that final roster:
Quarterback (QB):
Derek Carr
Matt McGloin
Christian Ponder
Why: This was one of the easiest categories. The team will carry three QBs, I think, and these are the top three on the roster. I think McGloin should beat out Ponder for backup but don’t know that that will happen with Ponder’s previous connections with Musgrave.
Offensive Line (8):
OT Donald Penn
OG Gabe Jackson
OC Rodney Hudson
OG J’Marcus Webb
OT Menelik Watson
OL Khalif Barnes
OG Jon Feliciano
OL Austin Howard
Why: The starting offensive line came into camp and the team never deviated except when injuries occurred. It doesn’t seem likely to change now. The only cut in this group that wouldn’t surprise me is Austin Howard who struggled at RG last year and who, in my opinion, has struggled at RT this training camp. He could potentially be replaced by Tony Bergstrom or Lamar Mady as a backup center or Matt McCants, who can play OT and OG.
Runningback (4):
Latavius Murray
Roy Helu Jr.
Taiwan Jones
Michael Dyer
Why: Murray is a lock. Jones has looked explosive and is worth a longer look at RB and flexing out as a receiver. Helu has missed a ton of time and if he doesn’t get better an IR designation wouldn’t be a shock but if he can heal up, he seems likely. Dyer’s training camp success hasn’t carried as well over to games although he looked pretty good versus the Minnesota third team and I think his upside brings him on the team.
Fullback (1):
Marcel Reece
Why: Jamize Olawale just doesn’t bring as much value as Reece, who can play all over. In the end, it’s about how much value you bring and I couldn’t find it for Olawale.
Tight End (3):
Lee Smith
Mychal Rivera
Clive Walford
Why: This was a strong position that has been distilled to the top three. All of these players have starting potential and this remains one of the strongest positions on the team. The team likes UDFA Gabe Holmes so perhaps he’ll be able to make the practice squad.
Wide Receiver (7):
Michael Crabtree
Amari Cooper
Kenbrell Thompkins
Rod Streater
Andre Holmes
Trindon Holliday
Seth Roberts
Why: I went with seven receivers because I don’t really count Holliday as one. He could lineup in a pinch but his value and contribution are as a returner. Obviously, Crabtree and Cooper are locks. Thompkins has been the most consistent slot receiver with Streater out on the illness list for most of camp. Unless Streater goes on IR, he’ll make the team so the first four spots are fairly set, I think.
Andre Holmes has a broken hand but should still make the team as a deep threat with great jumping ability. I see UDFA Seth Roberts beating out Brice Butler based on his ascension on the depth chart – he was taking some snaps with the first team offense versus the Vikings.
Defensive Line (9):
DE Justin Tuck
DE Khalil Mack
DT Dan Williams
DT Justin Ellis
DE Benson Mayowa
DE Mario Edwards Jr
DT/DE CJ Wilson
DT Ricky Lumpkin
DE Shelby Harris
Why: Khalil Mack, Dan Williams, Justin Ellis and Justin Tuck are the first team defensive line and should definitely make it. Benson Mayowa is the first end rotating end to spell Tuck and has had some good moments in camp and in games so far. Edwards is the teams’ second round draft pick – they aren’t going to cut him, clearly.
It gets a little murkier after that. I have C.J. Wilson making the squad because of his versatility, being able to play both end and tackle. I could also see Denico Autry take this spot and bump Wilson. Ricky Lumpkin beats out Stacy McGee based on strong performances in games with a quick first step. Shelby Harris beats out rookie Max Valles for the last spot on the line with a strong preseason performance in the two games. I think Valles is a good bet for the practice squad if he clears waivers.
Linebacker (6):
Curtis Lofton
Malcolm Smith
Sio Moore
Ray-Ray Armstrong
Neiron Ball
Ben Heeney
Why: No surprises here as the teams’ two free agents in Lofton and Smith, the two hold overs with starting experience in Moore and Armstrong, and the two drafted rookies in Heeney and Ball make the team.
Cornerback (5):
TJ Carrie
DJ Hayden
Keith McGill
Neiko Thorpe
James Dockery
Why: Carrie has been the most consistent player and due to weakness at the position he doesn’t get tested very often. Hayden is slated to start opposite him but that’s definitely worrisome barring a rapid ascent. McGill is injured right now but when healthy was the third CB in, taking over the outside CB spot with Hayden sliding into the slot.
Thorpe is a better slot option and I think the team may end up using him as the the slot corner more than having McGill coming in, eventually, because he’s a better fit than Hayden there. I like Dockery as the final spot with Dexter McDonald getting bumped but potentially fitting into the practice squad if he clears waivers.
Safety (4):
Nate Allen
Charles Woodson
Larry Asante
Jonathan Dowling
Why: Allen was brought in to be the starter at free safety and Woodson offers up years of experience and knowledge at the strong safety position. Asante has been a camp surprise and seems to have solidified the backup strong safety position with good instincts and some hard hitting. Dowling, a seventh round pick in 2014, is still raw but improving and he’s taken the most snaps to backup Allen in camp.
Special Teams (3):
K Sebastian Janikowski
LS Jon Condo
P Marquette King
Why: The dynamic trio returns this year intact. No surprises here, either, as none of the special teams specialists faced any real competition this off-season.
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