The Las Vegas Raiders have some difficult decisions to make soon; as we all know, the August 29 date to cut from 90 men to 53 is coming. The Raiders have a great 90-man roster, so that it won't be easy.



However, there is one aspect of it all that everyone seems to forget about. There are also 16 slots on the practice squad, and players who get cut and clear waivers are eligible to sign on the practice squad.



These practice squad players are guys who play against the 53-man in practice. They are guys who get called up when they are seen doing something great in practice or when someone above them gets injured.

You can read all the important rules regarding the practice squad here. You can also find a final 53-man roster prediction here.



Below, you'll find a look at our practice squad prediction for 2023:

1. Chase Garbers, QB

Garbers was on the practice squad last year, as the Raiders like what they see in him in terms of potential. The Raiders will keep three quarterbacks in Jimmy Garoppolo, Aidan O’Connell, and Brian Hoyer, so Garbers is the odd man out. Most teams usually keep a quarterback on the practice squad, too. The Raiders would like to keep developing him.

2. Nesta Jade Silvera, DT

The Raiders used one of their nine draft picks in the 2023 NFL Draft on Jade Silvera from Arizona State University. The defensive tackle has a ton of potential, however, he isn’t quite ready yet. Also, some of the guys ahead of him are much better. It makes sense to stash him on the practice squad, if he clears waivers.

3. Brittain Brown, RB

The Raiders drafted Brown last year, and he played amazing in the preseason last year. However, they feel he still isn’t ready. Brown also has to deal with being in one of the deeper rooms on the roster. He is behind Josh Jacobs, Ameer Abdullah, Brandon Bolden, and Zamir White.

4. Isaiah Zuber, WR

The Las Vegas Raiders have one of the deepest wide receiver rooms in the league when you factor in all 90 guys on the roster. However, they can only keep six or seven, and Zuber will be a guy let out. The reason he makes the roster has everything to do with knowing the offense.

5. Cole Fotheringham, TE

Fotheringham has had a great preseason. Him catching passes from quarterback Aidan O’Connell has been fun to watch; however, he still isn’t better than the guys ahead of him, like Michael Mayer, Austin Hooper, and Jesper Horsted. Fotheringham would be a great addition to the practice squad.

6. Dalton Wagner, OT

The former Arkansas offensive tackle got the most guaranteed money of any undrafted free agent rookie. So, it’s pretty apparent that the Raiders like him. However, he won’t make the roster if the Raiders only keep a few tackles. Wagner has the size and physical tools to play in the NFL, but he still needs some devloping.

7. Jordan Meredith, OL

The Raiders need offensive line depth, but Meredith is a guy who likely won’t make the roster. He needs some help on his technical skills, and the Raiders can develop him a bit more on the practice squad.

8. David Agoha, DT

Agoha actually doesn’t count against the Raiders 16-man practice squad, because he is an international player a part of the international players program. Agoha, though, has showed some flash during the preseason, which is great for a guy who just learned to play football not too long ago. The Raiders love what he has and feel like they could develop him.

9. Adam Butler, DT

The Las Vegas Raiders need defensive depth on the line, and Adam Butler provided plenty of that in the preseason. However, he wasn’t quite good enough to take someones spot. So, he will be a sue guy on the practice squad IF he clears waivers.

10. Adam Plant, DL

Plant showed a ton of potential as an undrafted free-agent rookie. He got to the quarterback a few times and constantly put pressure on the pocket. However, he also needs some development. The Raiders could use him in the future, so the practice squad is perfect.

11. Drake Thomas, LB

Another undrafted free agent Drake Thomas should make the practice squad. The Raiders, their fans, and most media loved what they saw from the linebacker. One of the worst units on the team with the least amount of depth may end up needing some guys to step in. Thomas is perfect for that.

12. Sam Webb, CB

Webb had an interception in the preseason in which he displayed geat ball-hawk skills. He also did that last preseason. However, the Raiders reloaded their secondary and are deeper than they have been in a while. Webb will surely make the practice squad if he clears waivers.

13. Tyler Hall, CB

You can never have too many secondary players, even on your practice squad. For the Raiders, they have some guys who aren’t quite good enough to make the roster but are right there. Hall is one of those guys.

14. Azizi Hearn, DB

The Las Vegas Raiders have several undrafted free agents that are petty good. Hearn is one of those guys, although he did struggle against the Rams in Week 2 of the preseason. However Hearn has all the tools, and maybe some time on the practice squad will help him. I ould see him getting some run next season with the raiders if all goes well.

15. Isaiah Pola-Mao, S

Pola-Mao had one of the more impressive plays of the preseason, as he took an interception from Rams quarterback Stetson Bennett back to the house for six. Pola-Mao has tremendous potential, but he’s just not ready to be a day-in, day-out rotational player.

17. Jaydon Grant, DB

Grant is another undrafted free agent rookie who showed something during training camp and preseason play. Now, though, just like with Pola-Mao, there just isn’t enough room for him. However, you can’t ever have too many defensive backs.

17. Vitaliy Gurman, OL

The same thing that we say about the secondary is the same thing that can be said with offensive line play. You can truly never have too many offensive lines because it is a crucial position that does get injured a lot. The Raiders will have some depth to work with.

Raiders 53-man roster prediction ahead of roster cuts

Things are heating up.

Featured Image Via Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports