Raiders Host: “I think Patrick Johnson is Definitely Going to Make the Team”

The Raiders will trim their roster to 53 on Sunday, and there are bound to be a few surprises.

Young players like Cian Slone and Greedy Vance are on the roster bubble, and some are wondering if Malcolm Koonce could be a surprise cut, as well.

The Raiders will pay Koonce a little more than $10 million whether he is on the roster or not, so there’s a good chance he’ll make the team. But with the emergence of Patrick Johnson in the last month, there is someone behind Koonce on the depth chart who has been making plays in training camp and preseason.

Raider Nation Radio host Q Myers talked about Johnson on Thursday, and he believes the veteran defensive end will be on the final roster.

“Patrick Johnson, along that Raiders defensive line, he seems like he’s just about everywhere. He’s been doing that. He’s been disruptive all training camp, all preseason. He’s been that guy,” Myers said on the Locked on Raiders podcast.

“I think Patrick Johnson is definitely going to make the team. He’s going to cost someone a job, most likely, because again, he just is a guy that just seems to have that motor, seems to have that ability to make plays, always is around the ball.
I think Patrick Johnson along that Raiders defensive line, is the guy to pay attention to.”

Johnson has recorded two sacks in three preseason games, and has stood out on special teams, as well.

Additionally, Pro Football Focus has given Johnson the highest grade on the team (offense included) in 82 defensive snaps – which is no small sample size.

Johnson, and everyone else on the roster bubble, will find out their fate by 6:00 EST on Sunday.

Following cuts, John Spytek and company will have the top waiver priority in the league, and that means the Raiders will probably add a couple players to the final roster (and make more cuts) at the start of the week.

x: @raidersbeat