Raiders’ way-too-early 53-man roster projection following first week of free agency signings
The Raiders have a completely new roster.
The Las Vegas Raiders spent some good money in free agency. With these acquisitions, we now have a clearer view of how the roster is shaping up for 2026, as well as which needs remain for the 2026 NFL Draft.
However, now it’s time to do something that’s quite silly, but something we almost have to do this time of year: A way too early 53-man roster projection. So, let’s dive into how the 53-man roster will look with all the information we currently have.
Raiders 53-man Roster Projection after first week of 2026 Free Agency
Quarterback (2)
Starter: Fernando Mendoza
Backup: Aidan O’Connell
The Raiders will likely draft Mendoza. I think they will keep O’Connell as the veteran QB to help Mendoza, at least for the time being. He’s proven he can start and win games. I do think Mendoza is the immediate starter, despite Kubiak and Spytek both being against rookie QBs starting immediately.
Running Back (4)
Starter: Ashton Jeanty
Backups: Connor Heyward (FB), Dylan Laube, Chris Collier
I do think the Raiders take a RB late in the draft, I’m just not sure he beats out these guys because of Laube’s additions on special teams and Collier’s time already spent in the league. I’m counting Heyward, the new fullback, in this group as well.
Wide Receivers (6)
Starters: Jalen Nailor, Tre Tucker, Jack Bech
Backups: Dont’e Thornton Jr., rookie WR, Shedrick Jackson
This season, the Raiders will have a new WR in Nailor, who’s much better than the statsheet tells you. They are expecting their rookies to take a leap, too. However, I do think a rookie WR makes this group, just maybe not as a starter.
Tight End (3)
Starter: Brock Bowers
Backups: Michael Mayer, Carter Runyon.
This one is pretty standard and doesn’t need much explanation. It’s the same tight end room as last season, just subtracting Ian Thomas. Runyon showed some good things when he did play, and he seems to be a decent run blocker.
Offensive Line (10)
Starters: Kolton Miller (LT), Caleb Rogers (OG), Jackson Powers-Johnson (OG), Tyler Linderbaum (C), DJ Glaze (RT)
Backups: Charles Grant, Dalton Wagner, Will Putnam, Jordan Meredith, rookie OG/OT
The offensive line needed some help, and they got some help in the best center in the NFL, Tyler Linderbaum. However, they still need some help at the guard and tackle positions. Glaze has proven he’s not a great offensive tackle. He’s led the team in blown blocks the last two seasons. However, he shows moments where he’s a serviceable starter. At the guard position, we have no idea if Rogers is even good, as he hasn’t played hardly any snaps. And we don’t know if he prefers the left side, where he played more in college, or the right side, where he played. Wherever he is better, JPJ will play opposite. They will draft either a tackle or a guard, which one is the question. Shoot, they may do both.
Defensive Line (6)
Starters: Adam Butler (DT), Tyree Wilson (DE), Jonah Laulu (DT)
Backups: Tonka Hemingway, JJ Pegues, Thomas Booker
The Raiders have an interesting setup on their defensive line. They found a gem in Laulu and drafted two defensive linemen last season. They traded for Booker and have one year left on Wilson’s contract. The Raiders don’t have a bad defensive line by any means, but they do have one that could certainly get better, and likely will have some additions made via the draft.
Edge Rushers (4)
Starters: Kwity Paye, Maxx Crosby
Backups: Malcolm Koonce, Charles Snowden
The Raiders are moving to a 3-4 system, which means they will have outside linebackers. Crosby and Koonce fit this mold. Paye, the new edge rusher, will likely be in that role as well, although he does seem a bit bigger and heavier on his feet than the other two. However, them paying him as much as they did vs Koonce tells us he will play more than Koonce.
Linebacker (5)
Starters: Quay Walker (WILL), Nakobe Dean (MIKE)
Backups: Tommy Eichenberg, Cody Lindenberg, Segun Olubi
The Raiders made two free-agent signings in Walker and Dean, as the LB spot was maybe their biggest hole on defense. How the backups fill out will be interesting to see. These are the only five currently on the roster, so it’s hard to project someone to the roster that’s not on the team. However, I’m confident the three backups listed will be the backups in 2026, including Olubi, who just signed at the time of this writing.
Cornerback (6)
Starters: Eric Stokes, Darien Porter, Taron Johnson (NB)
Backups: Decamerion Richardson, Chigozie Anusiem, Greedy Vance
The Raiders will likely add someone else to this group in the draft. Where they take one, well, that’s a different story. However, the starters above are pretty much set in stone.
Safety (4)
Starters: Jeremy Chinn, Isaiah Pola-Mao
Backups: Tristin McCollum, a rookie via the draft
This room is pretty easy to guess — the questionable one is the last safety spot. The Raiders currently have only three safeties on the roster, so players will be added, whether via the draft or free agency.
Special Team (3)
Starters: AJ Cole (P), Matt Gay (K), Alex Ward (LS)
This group has undergone its first changes in the last handful of years. Now, it’s Alex Ward after Jacob Bobenmoyer was the long snapper, with Matt Gay taking over for Daniel Carlson.
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