Could an undrafted free agent be on the verge of making the Raiders final roster?
It doesn’t happen often that a UDFA makes anything more than the practice team, but last week Sports Illustrated insider Hondo Carpenter projected former North Carolina State defensive end Cian Slone to make the final roster and in Thursday’s preseason opener Slone made one of the best defensive plays of the night.
Slone’s moment came early in the fourth quarter against the Arizona Cardinals’ backups, but the technique and precision of his first NFL sack was enough to see the 23-year-old is loaded with potential.
No one has ever questioned Slone’s work ethic and desire, and on Thursday night he proved he has the athleticism to make plays at the NFL level, too.
The Raiders prioritized Slone after the 2026 Draft
Along with former Arkansas State wide receiver Corey Rucker, Slone is the highest paid UDFA on the Raiders’ roster this year, and there’s no question he was one of their top UDFA targets after the draft.
In June, The Athletic’s Sam Warren, said Slone was one of the surprise standouts at OTAs and thought the rookie could be a candidate to make the final roster.
“A name I’d highlight is undrafted free agent Cian Slone,” Warren wrote in a mailbag column at The Athletic.
“The pass rusher out of NC State has looked quick during OTAs, and he played with noticeable effort, which Leonard covets. His showing earned him opportunities to play alongside veterans during team periods, while most other undrafted free agents remained working only with rookies,” Warren continued.
“The Raiders let Snowden go earlier in the offseason, opening up a potential roster spot for a pass rusher. If Slone continues to impress during training camp, he’d be a name to watch for on the final 53.”
Pre-draft conversation around Slone all pointed to his motor and energy
Slone was projected by many to be a Day 3 pick going into the 2026 draft and there were several teams targeting him after the draft.
NFL Media’s Lance Zierlein projected Slone as a “priority free agent” in his pre-draft analysis and said the North Carolina State defensive end could develop into a standout on special teams.
“Slone plays with a red-hot urgency that is rarely matched by opponents,” Zierlein said prior to the draft. “He’s a stand-up edge rusher with good play recognition. He challenges blocks with aggressive first actions but makes hunting the football the priority. While he’s a capable combatant at the point of attack, his lack of range and short-area agility could limit his impact as a playmaker. Slone’s energy and relentlessness fuel his secondary rush but he lacks the skill of a productive NFL rusher. Special-teams standout might be his route to a roster spot.
Zierlein also broke down Slone’s strengths and weaknesses headed into the draft. In short, Zierlein viewed Slone as a high energy player who doesn’t necessarily have the physical traits to be an elite edge defender at the NFL level.
Time will tell if Sloan has what it takes to be elite, but for now it’s looking like he at least has enough to make a 53-man roster.
x: @raidersbeat