On Tuesday, every NFL team had to finalize their roster to meet the maximum limit of 53 players. Consequently, the coaching staff of the Las Vegas Raiders faced some challenging decisions. Following this process, the organization announced their initial 53-man roster.
Some players have faced significant challenges securing spots on the team. Despite a disappointing 2024 season, Dylan Laube continues to be a Raider in 2025. However, not all stories have a positive outcome.
Tommy Mellott and Cam Miller are no longer Raiders
Sin City drafted two of the biggest stars in FCS football this offseason. Specifically, Mellott was the recipient of the Walter Payton Award in 2024. It appears, though, that both of these players will now be part of the practice squad. Whether they will be in Sin City or somewhere else is up to them.
Mellott did not have a high probability of making this roster because of his transition to a new position. Because he has played quarterback for many years, the Montana State alum is not accustomed to running wide receiver routes. Certainly, it will take time for him to develop a full route tree.
Miller, on the other hand, was the shocking transaction of the day. After Aidan O’Connell was placed on injured reserve, Miller was thrust into the second quarterback slot. However, the team traded for Kenny Pickett, showing a lack of confidence in the rookie.
Raiders choose Thomas Harper over Terrell Edmunds…
When Lonnie Johnson Jr. was diagnosed with a broken fibula, the third safety position became vacant. Initially, it was Chris Smith III who assumed the role. However, the team decided they needed to upgrade by signing Terrell Edmunds to fill this role.
Harper is an undrafted free agent from the 2024 NFL Draft with the potential to play the slot cornerback position that Las Vegas is seeking. However, he is currently categorized as a safety for the Raiders. Surprisingly, he has seen limited playing time during the preseason due to injury. Despite this setback, he managed to win the positional battle against Terrell Edmunds and Trey Taylor.
Another notable move was the release of Laki Tasi. The player from the International Pathway Program in Australia had a brief stint with the Raiders but made a quick impression. His strength and tenacity were evident during the preseason. Tasi, along with several other players, will now have the opportunity to pursue possibilities elsewhere.
Related: Raiders Wide Receiver Group Gets A Shake-Up
*Top Photo: Getty Images