Predicting The Raiders 53-Man Roster

There were no NCAA basketball brackets to fill out this year, but predicting a 53-man NFL roster a few months later is the next best thing. Always guaranteed to be wrong somewhere, but it’s a good time trying anyway.

Let’s see how close we can get to perfection. Starting with the most important position on the field…

Quarterbacks (3) Derek Carr, Marcus Mariota, Nathan Peterman

The reports about Mariota’s training camp have to make you wonder if he would be Jon Gruden’s preferred quarterback off the bench in an emergency.

Running Backs (4) Josh Jacobs, Jalen Richard, Lynn Bowden Jr., Theo Riddick

Riddick is the wild card here. It could just as easily be Devontae Booker that sneaks in as the fourth running back. For what it’s worth, the Riddick signing probably had more to do with Bowden Jr. than any of the other running backs on the roster. Even so, Bowden Jr. is a lock to make the roster.

Fullback (1) Alec Ingold

Obviously.

Wide Receivers (6)Tyrell Williams, Hunter Renfrow, Henry Ruggs III, Bryan Edwards, Nelson Agholor, Zay Jones

Will Tyrell be healthy enough to play this year? More than likely he’ll try to gut it out in week one, but the Raiders probably can’t afford to cut Jones with the uncertainty around Williams.

Tight Ends (4) Darren Waller, Jason Witten, Foster Moreau, Derek Carrier

Witten’s contract makes him a lock to be on the roster. Could Carrier be cut to make room for better depth on defense?

Offensive Line (9) Kolton Miller, Richie Incognito, Rodney Hudson, Gabe Jackson, Trent Brown, Denzelle Good, Sam Young, Andre James, John Simpson

Gruden won’t want to take any chances with depth along the offensive line. Keep nine.

Defensive Tackle (4)Maliek Collins, Johnathan Hankins, Maurice Hurst, Daniel Ross

Could there be a player added to the Raiders roster before the season opener than changes the list above?

Defensive End (4) Maxx Crosby, Clelin Ferrell, Carl Nassib, Arden Key

If Yannick Ngakoue or Jadeveon Clowney end up joining the Raiders, it would obviously shake up this position group – maybe by pushing Ferrell to the inside a little more often.

Linebackers (5) Cory Littleton, Nick Kwiatkoski, Tanner Muse, Javin White, Raekwon McMillan

These were tough calls. Nicholas Morrow and Kyle Wilber don’t make the list, but that’s the price you pay for keeping all the offensive firepower. McMillan makes the roster to be a thumper in short yardage situations, but he might end up a starter.

If Tyrell goes to injured reserve, let’s go with Morrow as the 53rd player.

Cornerbacks (6) Trayvon Mullen, Damon Arnette, Lamarcus Joyner, Amik Robertson, Keisean Nixon, Isaiah Johnson

Prince Amukamara comes up short as the Raiders have made so many investments in their young cornerbacks. Ideally, you would like a veteran in the room, but there’s youth movement at cornerback underway in Las Vegas.

Safeties (4)Johnathan Abram, Damarious Randall, Erik Harris, Jeff Heath

Nothing surprising or particularly exciting here.

Specialists (3) Daniel Carlson, AJ Cole, Trent Sieg

Notable Cuts: Devontae Booker, Nicholas Morrow, Kyle Wilber, Prince Amukamara, Rico Gafford, Keelan Doss, Rod Smith, Nevin Lawson

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