Predicting the Raiders 53-man roster: Who’s in? Who’s out?

Predicting the Raiders’ 53‑Man Roster: Who Makes the Cut and Who Doesn’t The Las Vegas Raiders have until Sunday to lock in their initial 53‑man roster ahead of the season opener on Sept. 13 against the Miami Dolphins. Below is a projection of how the squad could shape out. **Quarterbacks (3)** *In:* Kirk Cousins, Fernando Mendoza, Aidan O’Connell *Out:* Jacob Clark Cousins showed sharp form throughout training camp, marking the debut of Mendoza’s NFL career. The rookie displayed flashes of talent but acknowledges he still has much to learn. While the Raiders could move O’Connell to another team seeking a backup quarterback, they would not be wise to release him, as he could serve as Mendoza’s long‑term backup. Clark might end 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 left ankle is not expected to keep him sidelined for long, opening the backfield for Washington, the fourth‑round rookie. Laube functions as a scatback and special‑teams contributor. Ogunbowale adds veteran depth. Heyward, who plays fullback, fits the run‑heavy scheme orchestrated by offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. Hemby had productive moments in camp and could land on the practice squad—or even the active roster if Jeanty’s ankle forces him onto injured reserve. **Wide 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 emerged as the top two receivers during camp, with Benson exhibiting speed and upside as a sixth‑round pick. Bech offers a physical presence on the outside. Thompkins, despite his smaller frame, was productive in practice. Dorsett, Jackson, Roberts, Johnson and Williams each had notable camp performances, while Young contributes on special teams. Thornton missed most of camp due to an undisclosed injury. **Tight Ends (3)** *In:* Brock Bowers, Michael Mayer, Ian Thomas *Out:* Patrick Gurd, Albert Okwuegbunam Jr., Chris Myarick, Carter Runyon Bowers stands as the team’s primary receiving threat and dominated camp reps. Mayer is positioned for increased involvement based on his camp performance. Thomas proved a reliable backup, outperforming the rest of the tight‑end 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, Linderbaum and Glaze formed the starting five in both early and late camp drills, with Powers‑Johnson and Rogers sharing repetitions at right guard. Zuhn and Meredith provide positional flexibility as Grant develops into a swing tackle, having shown promise in preseason action. The remaining players are competing for practice‑squad spots. **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 *Injured Reserve:* Keyron Crawford Crosby and Paye serve as the bookend pass rushers. Johnson maximized his repetitions during preseason practices. Koonce returns as a veteran presence, albeit after a costly helmet hit. Hemingway led the defensive tackle rotation, a role bolstered by the mid‑camp addition of Fatukasi, and delivered consistent play over the final weeks. The rookie trio of Cleveland, Smith and Sloane could land on the practice squad. Crawford showed improvement throughout camp but suffered an ankle injury in the preseason finale versus the San Francisco 49ers, forcing him to leave 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 starting tandem. Eichenberg and Lindenberg head the second‑team unit. Olubi’s special‑teams work gives him an advantage. Sorey, younger than McGrone and Johnson, could also end 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 *Injured Reserve:* Chigozie Anusiem Porter steadied the first‑team defense as Stokes trended upward toward camp’s end. Masses and McCoy are promising rookie corners, while Stukes and Johnson are promising rookie safeties. Johnson and Chinn bring veteran versatility, and Pola‑Mao adds seasoned depth alongside McCollum. Vance posted a strong camp showing and could compete for a practice‑squad spot with Richardson, a 2024 fourth‑round pick. Anusiem was carted off the field with a knee injury during the preseason game versus the Houston Texans. **Specialists (3)** *In:* AJ Cole, Matt Gay, Alex Ward *Out:* Kansei Matsuzawa, Tyler Duzansky Gay will handle kicking duties, having outperformed Matsuzawa in both practice and games. Ward has been snapping for Cole, who is widely regarded as the NFL’s top punter.