With preseason in the rearview mirror, the Raiders are down to the part of the calendar that really matters: figuring out what the 2026 roster is going to look like. The cutdown to 53 players is coming fast, and Thursday’s exhibition finale against the San Francisco 49ers offered one last look at a few players whose time in Las Vegas could be up.
Some of the obvious names are easy to sort through, especially among the rookie UDFA group. But there are also a few veterans and former hopefuls who may have worn the Silver and Black for the last time.
Deven Thompkins is one of those players. The wideout came in late, made a quick impression in camp, and backed it up with a strong first preseason game.
After that, though, the momentum stalled a bit and the mistakes started piling up. Klint Kubiak seems to like him, and John Spytek already knows him, so a practice squad return still feels possible.
Atonio Mafi’s case is tougher. He’s been around for more than a year and even got into three games in 2025, starting two of them.
But this preseason didn’t help him at all. With better health up front and more young competition at guard, there just doesn’t seem to be much of a lane left for him.
He could still be a practice squad option, though Will Putnam or another younger lineman might end up taking that spot.
Treven Ma’ae is in a different spot entirely. He came close to making the 53-man roster last year, but this preseason he didn’t look like the same player.
He was pushed around too often and didn’t do enough as a pass rusher, which leaves him with no real path to the active roster. Even the practice squad feels uncertain after the way other young players performed.
Phillip Dorsett II has been the veteran presence in the receiver room, but that hasn’t translated into a secure future with the team. He’s been with the Raiders for more than a year, yet the younger receivers around him have made better cases for development. He was never truly in the mix for the active roster, and it would be a surprise if he’s still in Las Vegas in any role once the dust settles.
Decamerion Richardson might be the most interesting name on the list. He could still survive the cut to the 53-man roster, but if he doesn’t, a return to the Raiders doesn’t feel likely.
He’d make sense as a practice squad player or as a sixth corner, but that may not be enough for him or his camp. If he’s looking for a bigger opportunity, another stop could be the better fit.
In Other News...
Raiders Defense Suddenly Has An Early Rookie Scare
The Raiders got an unwelcome look at their young pass-rush depth in the preseason matchup against the 49ers, when rookie edge rusher Keyron Crawford had to be carted off the field with an ankle injury and was ruled out. For a defense that already had plenty to sort through this summer, losing a third-round pick so early is a sharp reminder of how quickly the tone can change in August.
Crawford was expected to be a key part of Las Vegas defense, which makes the next round of health updates especially important for a team counting on its rookies to contribute right away. The injury leaves the Raiders waiting to see how serious it is and what kind of setback, if any, it could become as they work toward the regular season. [Read more 🡒]
Raiders Fans May Need More Patience With Fernando Mendoza
The Raiders wrapped up their 2026 preseason at Allegiant Stadium against the 49ers, and the biggest takeaway for fans still tracking the quarterback future was Fernando Mendoza getting another meaningful look. Klint Kubiak started Kirk Cousins, but he also gave the rookie extended work as part of the evaluation process, hoping the added snaps would help accelerate Mendozas development before the games start to count.
Mendozas night was uneven, finishing 5 of 9 for 38 yards with an interception and taking two sacks, a reminder that young quarterbacks often need more than a few preseason appearances to settle in. The Raiders are clearly giving him a chance to learn on the job, but the performance also showed why patience may be part of the package if he is going to become a real factor down the line. [Read more 🡒]
Raiders Preseason Finale Raised Real Week 1 Questions
The Raiders preseason finale at Allegiant Stadium offered a last look at some of the rosters newest faces, and it came with enough uneven play to keep the conversation going well into September. In an 18-12 loss to the 49ers, Kirk Cousins handled the first two series and moved the offense for 51 passing yards, while rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza finished 7 of 14 for 57 yards and an interception.
There were encouraging flashes elsewhere, especially from rookie running back Mike Washington Jr., who picked up 49 yards on eight carries before leaving early, but the night also brought a setback on defense when rookie end Keyron Crawford went down with an ankle injury and did not return. For a team still sorting out depth and roles, the final tune-up left more questions than answers about how ready the roster is for Week 1. [Read more 🡒]