The Raiders are making some roster moves ahead of their matchup with the Eagles, elevating offensive lineman Atonio Mafi and wide receiver Shedrick Jackson from the practice squad to the active roster. With depth always at a premium this late in the season, especially in the trenches and at wideout, these call-ups could play a key role in how Las Vegas manages personnel on Sunday.
Let’s start with Mafi, a 25-year-old lineman whose football journey has been anything but conventional. He began his college career at UCLA on the defensive line before flipping to the offensive side after two seasons.
That switch paid off. By 2022, Mafi had developed into a second-team All-Pac-12 selection, showing enough promise at guard to catch the attention of NFL scouts.
The Patriots took a flier on him in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, selecting him 144th overall. He signed a four-year rookie deal worth just over $4.1 million, including a $335,540 signing bonus.
But like many Day 3 picks, his path to a stable NFL role wasn’t straightforward. New England released him after the preseason, and Mafi found himself in a familiar spot for young linemen-battling for snaps and a roster spot on a practice squad.
He landed with the Colts, where he bounced on and off the roster before being released in May. The Raiders brought him in during training camp and stashed him on the practice squad following the preseason. Now, with the Eagles on deck, Mafi gets another shot at meaningful snaps.
What stands out about Mafi is his versatility and experience. Across five college seasons, he played in 56 games and started 30-16 of those coming at guard, the rest at defensive tackle.
That kind of two-way background gives him a unique understanding of line play, and it shows in his technique and awareness. In the NFL, he’s already logged 21 games with five starts at guard, so he’s not just a developmental piece-he’s someone who can step in and hold his own if called upon.
As for Shedrick Jackson, the Raiders are adding another receiver to the mix, likely to bolster special teams and provide depth behind a banged-up receiving corps. Jackson’s elevation suggests the coaching staff sees value in his speed and physicality, even if it’s just for a limited role on game day.
These kinds of late-season elevations often go under the radar, but they can be critical in tight matchups. Whether it’s providing a few clean snaps in pass protection or contributing on kick coverage, players like Mafi and Jackson can be the difference between a clean operation and a costly miscue.
The Raiders are clearly looking for reliability and flexibility as they gear up for a tough test against Philadelphia. And for Mafi, Sunday could be another step in a winding NFL journey that’s already shown plenty of resilience.