This year’s preseason was far from what the Las Vegas Raiders had hoped for. On top of the team’s 0-2-1 preseason record, neither quarterback who battled for the starting job under center left a great impression. Ultimately, the quarterback duel came down to which player didn’t play as bad as the other, not which player rose to the occasion.
Not everything was bad, though.
Thanks to the preseason, Las Vegas got a chance to see stars blossom in unexpected places. Linebacker Amari Gainer and return specialist Tyreik McAllister went from roster hopefuls to unstoppable forces through three contests. Edge rushers Janarius Robinson and Charles Snowden put concerns of depth at the edge to rest, too.
And now, with all three preseason contests in the rearview mirror, Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce is tasked with trimming Sin City’s roster down to 53 players.
As Pierce continues deciding which players will wear the NFL’s iconic silver and black uniforms this season, we at The Raider Ramble give our best guesses on who makes the cut and who doesn’t.
Predicting the Las Vegas Raiders’ initial 53-man roster
Alex Monfreda (@AlexMonfreda)
QB (3)
Garner Minshew
Aidan O’Connell
Carter Bradley (reserve)
RB (4)
Zamir White
Alexander Mattison
Ameer Abdullah
WR (6)
Davante Adams
Jakobi Meyers
Tre Tucker
D.J. Turner
Tyreik McAllister
Kristian Wilkerson
TE (4)
Brock Bowers
Michael Mayer
Harrison Bryant
Zach Gentry
OL (8)
Kolton Miller
Dylan Parham
Andre James
Jackson Powers-Johnson
D.J. Glaze
Thayer Munford
Cody Whitehair
Jordan Meredith
DE (5)
Maxx Crosby
Malcolm Koonce
Tyree Wilson
Janarius Robinson
Charles Snowden
DT (4)
Christian Wilkins
John Jenkins
Adam Butler
Matthew Butler
LB (5)
Robert Spillane
Divine Deablo
Luke Masterson
Amari Gainer
Amari Burney
CB (6)
Jack Jones
Jakorian Bennett
Nate Hobbs
Decamerion Richardson
Sam Webb
Woo Governor
S (5)
Tre’von Moehrig
Marcus Epps
Isaiah Pola-Mao
Chris Smith II
Jaydon Grant
ST (3)
A.J. Cole
Daniel Carlson
Jacob Bobenmoyer
Note: Brandon Facyson and Tommy Eichenberg receive injury reserves designations here.
More perspectives
Cam Archer (@CamArcher)
QB (2)
Gardner Minshew
Aidan O’Connell
RB (4)
Zamir White
Alexander Mattison
Ameer Abdullah
Dylan Laube
WR (6)
Davante Adams
Jakobi Meyers
Tre Tucker
D.J. Turner
Tyreik McAllister
Ramel Keyton
TE (3)
Brock Bowers
Michael Mayer
Harrison Bryant
OL (7)
Kolton Miller
Dylan Parham
Andre James
Jackson Powers-Johnson
Thayer Munford
D.J. Glaze
Cody Whitehair
DE (5)
Maxx Crosby
Malcolm Koonce
Tyree Wilson
Janarius Robinson
Charles Snowden
DT (5)
Christian Wilkins
John Jenkins
Adam Butler
Matthew Butler
Nesta Jade Silvera
LB (6)
Robert Spillane
Divine Deablo
Luke Masterson
Tommy Eichenberg
Amari Gainer
Amari Burney
CB (7)
Jack Jones
Jakorian Bennett
Nate Hobbs
Decamerion Richardson
Brandon Facyson
Sam Webb
(Spot reserved for added player via trade/signing)
S (5)
Tre’von Moehrig
Marcus Epps
Isaiah Pola-Mao
Trey Taylor
Chris Smith II
ST (2)
A.J. Cole
Daniel Carlson
It’s no secret that the Las Vegas Raiders could use help at corner, specifically from an experienced player. Current free agent Adoree’ Jackson has experience in Patrick Graham’s system, as does veteran cornerback Xavien Howard.
Last, but not least
Trevis Dampier Jr. (@trevisjay_)
QB (3)
Garner Minshew
Aidan O’Connell
Carter Bradley
RB (3)
Zamir White
Alexander Mattison
Dylan Laube
WR (6)
Davante Adams
Jakobi Meyers
Tre Tucker
D.J. Turner
Kristian Wilkerson
Tyreik McAllister
TE (4)
Brock Bowers
Michael Mayer
Harrison Bryant
Zach Gentry
OL (10)
Kolton Miller
Dylan Parham
Andre James
Jackson Powers-Johnson
Thayer Munford
D.J. Glaze
Jordan Meredith
Cody Whitehair
Dalton Wagner
Andrus Peat
DE (5)
Maxx Crosby
Malcolm Koonce
Tyree Wilson
Charles Snowden
Janarius Robinson
DT (5)
Christian Wilkins
John Jenkins
Adam Butler
Matthew Butler
Byron Young
LB (5)
Robert Spillane
Divine Deablo
Luke Masterson
Amari Gainer
Tommy Eichenberg
CB (6)
Jack Jones
Jakorian Bennett
Nate Hobbs
Decamerion Richardson
M.J. Devonshire
(Spot reserved for added player via trade/signing)
S (4)
Tre’von Moehrig
Marcus Epps
Isaiah Pola-Mao
Trey Taylor
ST (3)
A.J. Cole
Daniel Carlson
Jacob Bobenmoyer
Again, the issue at cornerback is clear as day. After the three starters – two boundary and one inside – the reserves have a total of zero regular season snaps combined. If this scenario comes to pass, the Raiders will need to fix that, ASAP.
*Top Photo: Getty Images