Make or Break: O’Connell Faces Hot Seat vs. Texas
Las Vegas Raiders Roster Prediction: Who Makes the Team After Preseason Game 1?
Welcome to the NFL Roster Puzzle! Think of this like picking players for a dodgeball team, but way more complicated. The Raiders have about 90 players right now, but only 53 get to stay for the regular season. Let’s break down what changed after their first practice game against the Arizona Cardinals.
What Is a 53-Man Roster Anyway?
ELI5 Explanation: Every NFL team starts training camp with ~90 players. Before the real games start, they must cut down to exactly 53 players. These 53 are the only ones who can play in regular season games (with a few extra "practice squad" players waiting in the wings).
Recent Update: The Raiders played their first preseason game vs. the Cardinals. Now they’re getting ready for Game 2 against the Houston Texans. Here’s how the roster prediction changed!
Quarterback: The "Two QB" Theory Gains Steam
| Role | Previous Prediction | Updated Prediction | Why the Change? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | Kirk Cousins | Kirk Cousins | The veteran leader stays put |
| Backup | Fernando Mendoza (R), Aidan O’Connell | Fernando Mendoza (R) ONLY | Mendoza looked comfortable in the new offense |
| Cut | Jacob Clark (R) | Aidan O’Connell, Jacob Clark (R) | O’Connell went 4-for-13 passing (though 4 drops didn’t help!) |
Key Insight: The coaching staff might keep only 2 quarterbacks instead of the usual 3 to save a spot for another position. Mendoza (R = Rookie) earned trust; O’Connell’s rough game puts him on the bubble.
Running Back: Jeanty Leads, Third Spot Wide Open
| Role | Previous Prediction | Updated Prediction | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | Ashton Jeanty | Ashton Jeanty | The rookie star is locked in |
| Backups | Mike Washington Jr. (R), Connor Heyward (FB), Dylan Laube | Mike Washington Jr. (R), Connor Heyward (FB), Dylan Laube | Same group, but competition heating up |
| Cut | Roman Hemby (R), Dare Ogunbowale | Roman Hemby (R), Dare Ogunbowale, Patrick Gurd (R, FB) | Gurd moved from TE to FB officially |
Watch This Week: Laube had a quiet game. Hemby barely touched the ball. Ogunbowale didn’t play at all. Houston game = audition time!
Wide Receiver: The Biggest Shakeup
This position got flipped upside down. The coaches keep adding new guys, making it super hard to predict.
NEW Starters (Top 3):
- Tre Tucker – Speedy veteran
- Jalen Nailor – Reliable route runner
- Jack Bech – NEW! Moved up from backup after multiple catches
Backups:
- Malik Benson (R) – Dropped from starter to backup
- E.J. Williams (R) – Undrafted rookie, coach’s camp standout
- Shedrick Jackson – NEW! Got more chances last game
Cut List (Growing!):
Dont’e Thornton Jr., Chase Roberts (R), Dareke Young, Phillip Dorsett II, Deven Thompkins, Noah Brown, Brandon Johnson
Coach Speak: Kubiak named Williams & Roberts as camp standouts. Young is a special teams ace, but Jackson got more offensive reps. Numbers game = tough cuts coming.
Tight End: Steady as She Goes
| Role | Players | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | Brock Bowers | Superstar rookie, untouchable |
| Backups | Michael Mayer, Ian Thomas | Thomas had nice blocks + a catch vs. Cardinals |
| Cut | Carter Runyon (injured), Albert Okwuegbunam, Chris Myarick | Runyon hurt; other two quiet |
No changes here. Bowers is the guy. Mayer & Thomas provide solid depth.
Offensive Line: One Backup Battle Heating Up
Starters (Locked In):
- LT Kolton Miller
- LG Spencer Burford
- C Tyler Linderbaum
- RG Jackson Powers-Johnson
- RT DJ Glaze
Backup Changes:
| Player | Previous | Updated | Why? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charles Grant | Backup | Backup | Safe |
| Caleb Rogers | Backup | Backup | Safe |
| Jordan Meredith | Backup | CUT | Rough game last week |
| Atonio Mafi | Cut | BACKUP | Good run blocking, pass pro needs work |
| Trey Zuhn III (R) | Backup | Backup | Also emergency center |
Versatility Alert: Powers-Johnson can play center if Linderbaum gets hurt. Zuhn practices there too. Meredith on notice; Mafi earned a second look.
Edge Rusher: Injury Changes Everything
Starters:
- Maxx Crosby (Superstar)
- Malcolm Koonce
Backups:
- Kwity Paye (Big offseason signing)
- Keryon Crawford (R) (Draft pick)
- Cian Slone (R) (Undrafted standout)
Cut/IR:
- Brennan Jackson → INJURED RESERVE (Season over, had good game )
- Jahfari Harvey, Patrick Johnson → Cut
Tough Math: Team invested heavily in Paye & Crawford. At least one might not make it despite Slone & Johnson playing well. Jackson’s injury opens a spot but hurts depth.
Defensive Tackle: Total Guessing Game
Author’s Quote: "To be honest, it’s anyone’s guess… feels like we’re in for a surprise on cutdown day."
NEW Starters:
- Tonka Hemingway (R) – Promoted from backup!
- Adam Butler
Backups:
- Thomas Booker IV – Demoted from starter
- Jonah Laulu
- JJ Pegues
- Folorunso Fatukasi – NEW ADDITION (Veteran run-stuffer signed recently)
Cut:
- Brandon Cleveland (R), Gary Smith II (R), Treven Ma’ae
- Benito Jones → ALREADY CUT
Strategy: Raiders desperately need a run-stuffer. Fatukasi signed specifically for this. Hemingway’s promotion suggests coaches love his preseason tape.
Linebacker: Quiet but Solid
| Role | Players | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Starters | Nakobe Dean, Quay Walker | Proven veterans |
| Backups | Cody Lindenberg, Tommy Eichenberg, Segun Olubi | Lindenberg had good game |
| Cut | Xavian Sorey Jr. (R), Buddy Johnson, Cameron McGrone | No changes needed |
No drama here. Starters set. Lindenberg (rookie) flashing potential.
Cornerback: Vance Crashes the Party
Starters:
- Eric Stokes
- Darien Porter
- Taron Johnson (Slot/Nickel)
Backups:
- Hezekiah Masses (R)
- Jermod McCoy (R)
- Greedy Vance ← PROMOTED from cut list!
Cut:
- Decamerion Richardson (Camp standout but no game action)
- Chigozie Anusiem
- Caleb Offord (R)
- Devyn Perkins (R)
Vance’s Rise: Strong game vs. Cardinals forced the change. Richardson gets a golden ticket vs. Houston – must play well to stick.
Safety: Pretty Set, But Numbers Game Looms
| Role | Players |
|---|---|
| Starters | Jeremy Chinn, Isaiah Pola-Mao |
| Backups | Treydan Stukes (R), Dalton Johnson (R) |
| Cut | Tristin McCollum, Devin Lafayette (R) |
Hidden Battle: If team keeps extra corners, Pola-Mao or Johnson could be odd men out. Pola-Mao barely played (starter treatment). Johnson played well. Murky waters.
Special Teams: Kicker Battle Over?
| Position | Player | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Punter | AJ Cole III | Elite, untouchable |
| Kicker | Matt Gay | WON the job |
| Long Snapper | Tyler Duzansky (R) | NEW – Moved ahead of Alex Ward |
| Cut | Kansei Matsuzawa (R), Alex Ward | Matsuzawa struggled; Ward lower on depth chart |
Fun Fact: Matsuzawa ("Tokyo Toe") is IPP (International Pathway Program) eligible – can stash on practice squad for a "redshirt year" without waivers!
Summary: The Big Picture After Game 1
| Position | Major Changes | Bubble Players to Watch vs. Texans |
|---|---|---|
| QB | Down to 2 QBs? | O’Connell needs big game |
| RB | 3rd spot wide open | Laube, Hemby, Ogunbowale |
| WR | Massive shuffle | Benson, Roberts, Young, Richardson |
| OL | Mafi up, Meredith down | Meredith redemption? |
| Edge | Jackson to IR | Slone vs. Johnson for last spot |
| DT | Fatukasi added, Hemingway up | Total mystery |
| CB | Vance promoted | Richardson MUST play |
| ST | Gay wins kicker | Matsuzawa to practice squad? |
Bottom Line: Roster is ~80% set. The final 10-12 spots will be decided in Houston and final preseason game. Special teams ability = tiebreaker for bubble guys!
FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered
Why only 2 quarterbacks? Isn’t that risky?
A: Modern NFL teams often keep 2 QBs + 1 on practice squad. If Cousins gets hurt, they can elevate the practice squad guy. Saves a roster spot for a position with more depth battles (like WR or DT).
What does "(R)" mean next to names?
A: R = Rookie (first-year player). These guys are fighting for their NFL lives!
What’s "Injured Reserve" (IR) and why is Brennan Jackson out?
A: IR = season-ending injury list. Player can’t play all year but stays with team. Jackson got hurt vs. Cardinals – tough break after a good game.
Who is Folorunso Fatukasi and why did he just show up?
A: Veteran DT signed this week specifically to stop the run. Teams often add vets late when they see a specific need. He’s instantly in the mix.
When do final cuts happen?
A: Typically late August (around Aug 26-27) after the final preseason game. Then the 53-man roster is set for Week 1!
Final Thought: It’s a Numbers Game
Remember: This isn’t just about talent – it’s about fit, versatility, special teams, salary cap, and scheme. A great player might get cut because they only do one thing, while a "good but versatile" guy stays because he can play 3 positions AND cover kicks.
Next checkpoint: Raiders vs. Texans preseason game. Every snap matters for the bubble guys!
Stay tuned for the next update after the Houston game. The puzzle pieces are moving fast!