The roster-cut chaos that hits the NFL on August 30 could hand the Las Vegas Raiders a chance to add help fast.
More than 1,000 players will be waived or released as teams trim down, and that kind of turnover always creates opportunities. For the Raiders, it may be especially useful.
Their roster looks better than it did a year ago, and there was real progress during the preseason, but John Spytek and Klint Kubiak still have work to do. The next few days matter a lot for the bottom of the roster.
That opens the door for a few surprise cuts around the league that Las Vegas should have on its radar.
At tight end, Davis Allen of the Los Angeles Rams stands out. The Raiders may need help there after Ian Thomas struggled badly this preseason.
Allen is buried in a crowded Rams tight end room, but he brings value as a run blocker and has enough receiving ability to contribute. He also produced last season, and if he reaches waivers, Las Vegas should move quickly because he would come cheap and could help.
Wide receiver is another spot worth watching. Darius Slayton’s contract situation is complicated enough that the New York Giants may keep him, but if he becomes available, the Raiders should at least explore a deal.
He’s not the same player he once was, yet he remains underrated and has topped 525 yards in each of the last two seasons. That would be a real boost to Las Vegas’ pass-catching group.
Christian Kirk is another receiver who could end up on the market if he gets squeezed out of a young, deep San Francisco 49ers room. He is far from the player he was in 2022 and 2023 with the Jaguars, but the Raiders could use a veteran who can still produce. Kirk fits that description.
On the defensive side, the interior line deserves attention. Kris Jenkins Jr. has been uneven for most of his career, but the Cincinnati Bengals’ recent second-round pick has shown flashes, and there is still some upside here.
With Las Vegas looking to add beef inside and Cincinnati possibly waiving him after trading for Dexter Lawrence and others, the Raiders should keep a close eye on him. Spytek loves Michigan...
Another Michigan name to monitor is Rayshaun Benny. The Baltimore Ravens took him in the seventh round out of Ann Arbor this spring, and he is not guaranteed a spot on their 53-man roster.
If he lands on waivers, Las Vegas should consider him. Benny played well this preseason, and while he is not a headline addition, he could strengthen the depth chart and is worth a flyer.
Safety Cole Wisniewski is also in the mix. The Philadelphia Eagles are deep enough at the position that he may not make the team, even though he was an exciting college prospect this spring.
If he is cut on Sunday, the Raiders could justify bringing him in. He is big, versatile, and has an intriguing skill set, which would help add depth to a secondary that is currently a little thin.
In Other News...
Raiders Cut May Have Just Clarified Two Edge Rusher Battles
Roster cutdown day brought a little clarity to the Raiders edge-rusher picture, even if the bigger moves centered on other spots. Las Vegas released running back Dare Ogunbowale, traded offensive lineman Jordan Meredith to the New York Jets and waived defensive end Cian Slone, trimming the depth chart as the team sorted through its final roster decisions.
The move on Slone can be read as a vote of confidence in veteran Patrick Johnson, who has worked to carve out a role in the outside linebacker mix. It also hints that Keyron Crawfords injury may not be as serious as some feared, though the Raiders have not offered any official update on Crawfords status, leaving a little uncertainty in a spot where every available body matters. [Read more 🡒]
Raiders Face Aidan OConnell Decision As Quarterback Room Stays Unsettled
The quarterback room in Las Vegas still has a way of sorting itself out, and Aidan OConnell sits at the center of one of the more practical decisions the Raiders have to make before the roster cut deadline. Fernando Mendoza is viewed as not yet ready to handle NFL action, which leaves the team weighing whether OConnell is worth keeping as the third quarterback to provide depth and help bridge the gap while Mendoza develops.
There is also a larger market factor hanging over the conversation, with Kirk Cousins the subject of trade speculation before the November deadline. If that situation shifts, OConnell could become even more valuable to the Raiders as an insurance policy, which makes this less about one backup role and more about how long Las Vegas wants to keep its quarterback room stable. [Read more 🡒]
John Spytek Keeps Finding Draft Value In Raiders Castoffs
The Raiders have spent this season using the trade market to clean up the edges of their roster and nudge a little draft capital back into the cupboard. First came the deal sending Geno Smith and a seventh-round pick to the Jets for a sixth-rounder, and now Jordan Meredith has followed the same path, along with a 2029 seventh, in exchange for a 2027 sixth. In both cases, Las Vegas moved on from players who were not expected to factor into its future plans while picking up a modest draft gain.
John Spyteks front office has made a habit of squeezing value out of pieces that no longer fit the long-term picture, and the latest move fits that pattern neatly. The Jets get depth, the Raiders get a small climb in the draft, and the transaction adds another reminder that roster churn does not always have to be dramatic to matter. The bigger question is how many more of these low-cost, low-drama swaps are still to come as Las Vegas keeps shaping the roster for what comes next. [Read more 🡒]