Raiders' way-too-early 53-man roster projection
The Las Vegas Raiders ended up fixing some problems with their roster, on paper, anyways, and have a great idea of what their roster will be for the 2023 season. Sure, they still need to work on some things, but most teams do.The Raiders went mostly defense in this draft, as they should have, but […]
The Las Vegas Raiders ended up fixing some problems with their roster, on paper, anyways, and have a great idea of what their roster will be for the 2023 season. Sure, they still need to work on some things, but most teams do.
The Raiders went mostly defense in this draft, as they should have, but were still able to grab some offensive guys that were very much needed, like tight end Michael Mayer. So now it's all about trying to figure out who will make the 53-man roster, and who will not.
Enter line. Note: Players with single asterisk (*) are 2023 draft picks and players with double asterisks (**) are 2023 undrafted free agents.
Quarterback (3)
IN: Jimmy Garoppolo, Brian Hoyer, Aiden O'Connell*
OUT: Chase Garbers
The skinny: The Raiders end up getting their quarterback, but didn't have to use a first round pick like it was rumored. O'Connell is a guy that is a project, but if it goes well, could be amazing because of his play style and accuraccy.
Running back (4)
IN: Josh Jacobs, Ameer Abdullah, Brandon Bolden, Zamir White
OUT: Brittain Brown, Austin Walter, Sincere McCormick
The skinny: I'd like to see Brittain Brown get a shot, just because when he played in pre-season he was great, but I don't think he will be able to overcome the guys ahead of him. The running back room is great at the moment.
Wide receiver (6)
IN: Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers, Hunter Renfrow, DeAndre Carter, Phillip Dorsett, Tre Tucker*
OUT: Tyler Johnson, Cam Sims, Chris Lacy, DJ Turner, Keelan Cole
The skinny: The Raiders may have the most loaded receiver room in the NFL. There are going to be some very good players that don't end up making the 53-man roster in this group, like Keelan Cole, who was a special teams guy last season.
Tight end (3)
IN: Michael Mayer*, Austin Hooper, O.J. Howard
OUT: Cole Fotheringham, Jesper Horsted
The skinny: The Raiders desperately needed a tight end, because Hooper just wasn't going to get the job done. And guess what, they got the best tight end in the draft in the second round. He will be the starter, at least in my opinion.
Offensive line (10)
IN: Kolton Miller, Dylan Parham, Andre James, Alex Bars, Jermaine Eluemunor, Thayer Munford, Netane Muti, Brandon Parker, Jordan Meredith, Dalton Wagner **
OUT: Vitaliy Gurman, Justin Herron, Sabastian Gutierrez, Justin Murray, Hronniss Grasu, McClendon Curtis**
The skinny: The Raiders could have a UDFA make the roster in Dalton Wagner, a guy who was very good in college and just needs a shot. He would replace Hronniss Grasu at the interior spot.

Defensive line (6)
IN: Bilal Nichols, Jerry Tillery, Matthew Butler, Neil Farrell, John Jenkins, Byron Young *
OUT: Nesta Jade Silvra *, Adam Butler
The skinny: The Raiders have a better defensive tackle room than they did just last year, but that isn't saying much with how easy it is to beat that. Adam Butler and the Raiders rookie seventh rounder will be the guys to miss the cut.
Defensive end/EDGE (4)
IN: Maxx Crosby, Chandler Jones, Tyree Wilson *, Malcolm Koonce
OUT: Jordan Willis
The skinny: Grabbing Tyreek Wilson may not be a pick that you like immediately, But I promise you when the Raiders have one of the best duos in football on the outside, you will love it. And Koonce and Jones help too.
Inside linebacker (4)
IN: Devine Deablo, Robert Spillane, Amari Burney *, Luke Masterson
OUT: Mauga Kana'i, Curtis Bolton, Darien Butler
The skinny: Burney is a guy who the more I look at the more I like the pick. He played defensive back in college so his cover skills should be good. The linebacker room is instantly better.
Cornerback (5)
IN: Nate Hobbs, Jakorian Bennett *, Tyler Hall, Duke Shelley, David Long
OUT: Brandon Facyson, Ike Brown, Sam Webb, Bryce Cosby, Azizi Heam**, Jaydon Grant**, Jordan Perryman**, Amik Robertson
The skinny: Grabbing a cornerback like Bennett was the best thing the Raiders could do. They needed defensive back help bad, and now they have it. Their room is much better than last years.

Safety (4)
IN: Marcus Epps, Tre'von Moehrig, Roderic Teamer, Christopher Smith *
OUT: Jalen Elliot, Isaiah Palo-Mao, jaquan Johnson
The skinny: The Las Vegas Raiders have a better safety room than the one they trotted out on the field last year, which was just despicable. I believe Marcus Epps could be a huge difference maker.
Special Teams (3)
IN: Daniel Carlson (K), A.J. Cole (P), Jacob Bobenmeyer (LS)
OUT:
The skinny: The Raiders have one of the best kicker-punter duos in the league.