The Raiders are heading toward cutdown day with a roster that still has a few real battles left to settle, even after training camp wrapped up in Henderson and the team hosted the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium last night.
That’s the backdrop as Las Vegas sorts through the final 53-man projection, and it’s clear John Spytek and Klint Kubiak have squeezed plenty out of this group. The Raiders also have a major edge once the waiver wire opens: because they had the worst record in the NFL and landed the No. 1 overall pick, they get the first shot at any player waived by the other 31 teams.
That matters for a team still very much in rebuild mode. The initial roster released Sunday afternoon could easily be a starting point rather than the finished product, especially with plenty of 53-man-caliber players about to hit the market.
One of the biggest questions is at quarterback, where Aidan O’Connell has reportedly helped himself throughout camp and is drawing trade interest. The Raiders want to keep him, but Kirk Cousins is viewed as more of a two-year player and could be moved to a contender that loses its quarterback.
Fernando Mendoza’s growth is expected, but if O’Connell is dealt, Cousins would likely stay through the end of the year. Moving O’Connell would also create room to keep another young player on the bubble.
At running back, Ashton Jeanty is the clear lead back. Mike Washington Jr. has put together a strong camp and has been exactly what the Raiders hoped for. Dylan Laube has carried over the momentum he built in OTAs and minicamp, while Heyward adds value in more than one way.
Wide receiver remains one of the messiest parts of the roster. No group entered camp with more uncertainty, and that hasn’t changed much.
Several young receivers got close, but none appears to have done enough. Thornton looks headed for injured reserve, Young stands out mainly on special teams, and that could open the door for Roberts.
Another waiver addition or even a surprise younger option would not be a shock here.
The offensive line still has one of the team’s most interesting camp fights going on. Four of the five spots were set before preseason play, but right guard is the big one.
Jackson Powers-Johnson started camp in front, yet he’s now sharing first-team work with Caleb Rogers, who has made a strong push. Jordan Meredith has had some rough patches, but he still looks like a lock to make it.
Tight end, on the other hand, looks as settled as any position on the roster. Brock Bowers is the best in the NFL, Michael Mayer is having his best camp in his first four years, and Thomas has broadened his game beyond being a special-teams ace and top-tier blocker. Spytek’s work on undrafted free agents also stands out here, and the practice squad could be a real source of future help.
Special teams appears locked in, too. Cole is the best in the NFL, Gay has looked like the veteran kicker he is, and the long-snapping job went to Alex Ward.
At inside linebacker, Dean and Walker have been outstanding, exactly what you want from big-ticket free agents. Tommy and Cody, the young “Bergs,” have also had strong camps and shown more in their games. Olubi is valuable on special teams, but not a real threat for a starting inside linebacker role.
Up front, Crosby keeps wrecking plans for opposing offenses. Paye has looked like the player the Raiders expected, while Koonce has had a quieter camp.
Crawford has flashed but also dealt with some bumps and bruises. Slone has been one of the camp’s real finds, making plays on defense and special teams as a UDFA, and he’s earned a spot.
Johnson, though a newer arrival, has also played well.
In the secondary, Chinn has brought the kind of leadership and finishing punch Rob Leonard wants. IPM looks like himself again after the franchise collapse of 2025. Stukes has shown off real star-level traits, and Johnson has flashed his own ability.
The nickel spot belongs to Johnson, who is described as the best in the NFL at that role and can also play safety and linebacker. Stokes has been performing like a Pro Bowl-caliber player, and Porter gets the nod in the battle for the third starter because he is not a rookie. Masses is also right there in that competition.
Richardson has been playing the best football of his NFL career, and McCoy has shown flashes when given chances, though he’s being kept on a bit of a leash. Greedy Vance has also stood out, and the Raiders may not be able to hide either him or Richardson on the practice squad.
The biggest concern sits on the defensive line. To make room elsewhere, rookie Brandon Cleveland is now out of the projected roster. The Raiders could try to stash him on the practice squad, though another team with a draftable grade on him and an open roster spot could make that difficult.
In Other News...
Raiders Are Betting Kirk Cousins Can Buy Time At Quarterback
Kirk Cousins gives the Raiders a very different kind of answer at quarterback, one built less on long-term projection and more on steadiness right now. With Fernando Mendoza tucked behind him as a backup and developmental option, the move signals that Las Vegas is trying to manage the position with experience while the younger passer continues to learn rather than be thrown into the fire.
The offensive line being only average helps explain the caution. Cousins has spent enough time around tough quarterback situations to handle some early turbulence, and the Raiders are counting on that as they look to buy time at the position. For Mendoza, the path is still clearly about development, and the organization appears determined not to rush him before he is ready to start. [Read more 🡒]
Raiders Depth Battle Just Got More Interesting Before Final Cuts
The preseason ended with a loss to the 49ers, and now the real work starts for the Raiders as they move toward roster cuts and the regular-season opener against the Dolphins. One of the clearest decisions still to sort through is right guard, where Klint Kubiak has spent the summer weighing Jackson Powers-Johnson against Caleb Rogers, with Powers-Johnson looking like the favorite to handle the job when the games count.
There are other spots worth watching, too, as the backfield picture includes Mike Washington Jr. and Dylan Laube in roles that could still shift before the opener. And while the focus turns to trimming the roster, rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza has also given the staff something to evaluate after a preseason that offered a first real look at his development. [Read more 🡒]
Raiders Offensive Line Faces One Real Test Fans Still Worry About
The Raiders spent the offseason trying to make the offensive line a real strength, bringing in Klint Kubiak and Rick Dennison while also investing in Tyler Linderbaum. Through the preseason, the first-team group has looked the part, giving the quarterback better protection and helping the run game function with a level of consistency that was missing at times before.
Charles Grant and Trey Zuhn III offered some encouraging moments when they were paired with veterans, but the bigger question sits behind the starters. The second unit had its rough patches, and until the Raiders see whether that group can hold up when the regular season starts to stress the depth chart, the line still feels one injury away from becoming a concern again. [Read more 🡒]