Jon Gruden has difficult decisions coming as the Raiders trim their roster down to the final 53. Rosters are due by 4:00 ET (though changes can still be made before week 1) on Saturday, August 31, so let’s take a look at what might be coming tomorrow…
Quarterback
Mike Glennon or Nathan Peterman?
All signs point to Glennon getting the backup job, but Glennon hasn’t exactly passed the eye test in preseason games. Peterman has been excellent, albeit against lesser competition. This isn’t the popular opinion, but Peterman should be in better position to make the final roster than Glennon based on preseason.
More likely though is that Gruden will decide to keep all three (Carr, Glennon, Peterman).
Fullback
Keith Smith or Alec Ingold.
Veteran versus undrafted free agent. Since Ingold is practice team eligible and not many teams use a fullback, the Raiders shouldn’t have any problem cutting the rookie and re-signing him to the practice team.
If there is any doubt here, may as well go with the veteran and have the option to reverse course at any point going forward.
Wide Receiver
J.J. Nelson or Ryan Grant.
The popular pick here is Nelson, but Grant can do more. If Gruden had to chose one, Grant should have a slight edge… but Nelson can really fly.
This feels like a coin flip. No wrong answer. Maybe Gruden just decides to keep both.
Keelan Doss is in. Teams want him and Gruden isn’t going to let him get away.
Defensive Tackle
P.J. Hall, Justin Ellis, Ethan Westbrooks, or Anthony Rush.
Rush should be the safest among the names listed above. Hall was drafted in the second round a year ago so he should get another year to prove himself, right? Either Westbrooks or Ellis might be in trouble as neither are going to make or break the defense this year or any year after. In fact, don’t be surprised if neither are on the roster when Denver comes to town for the season opener.
Linebackers
Brandon Marshall was cut on Friday and it sounds like Gruden and Mayock might be looking outside the building for a sixth linebacker. Reports have linked the Raiders to exploring trade possibilities for Kiko Alonso, so assuming that’s true, they are at least sniffing around.
Could Jason Cabinda be in the mix to hang around? Kinda don’t think so.
Cornerbacks
Keisean Nixon has apparently made the team, which might be a sign of how little depth the Raiders have at cornerback. With Nevin Lawson suspended, maybe there’s another surprise in the works.
For what it’s worth, the Raiders cornerback group is one of the real mysteries to the team. Not sure what to make of this unit yet.
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