Make or Break for O’Connell: Raiders Starting Job vs. Cowboys
Las Vegas Raiders 53-Man Roster Prediction: What Changed After Preseason Game 1
ELI5 Alert: Think of this like picking your final team for a big tournament. The Raiders have 90 players right now, but only 53 can make the final cut. After their first practice game (preseason) against the Arizona Cardinals, the coaching staff has a better idea of who deserves a spot.
Quick Background
- Preseason = Practice games that don’t count for the real season standings
- 53-man roster = The final official team (like making the varsity squad)
- R = Rookie (first-year player)
- Cut = Released from the team
- Practice squad = A "waiting list" of up to 16 players who practice with the team but don’t play in games (unless called up)
- IR (Injured Reserve) = A list for hurt players who miss the whole season
Position-by-Position Breakdown
Quarterback (QB) — The Team Captains
| Status | Previous Prediction | Updated Prediction |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | Kirk Cousins | Kirk Cousins |
| Backups | Fernando Mendoza (R), Aidan O’Connell | Fernando Mendoza (R) only |
| Cut | Jacob Clark (R) | Aidan O’Connell, Jacob Clark (R) |
Important Callout: The Raiders might keep only 2 QBs this year (usually teams keep 3). Why? Mendoza looked comfortable running the offense in his first game. O’Connell struggled (4 of 13 passes completed), though Pro Football Focus says 4 of his 9 incompletions were drops by his receivers — not his fault! But if the coaches need an extra roster spot elsewhere, O’Connell becomes the odd man out.
Running Back (RB) & Fullback (FB) — The Ball Carriers
| Status | Previous Prediction | Updated Prediction |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | Ashton Jeanty | Ashton Jeanty |
| Backups | Mike Washington Jr. (R), Connor Heyward (FB), Dylan Laube | Mike Washington Jr. (R), Connor Heyward (FB), Dylan Laube |
| Cut | Roman Hemby (R), Dare Ogunbowale | Roman Hemby (R), Dare Ogunbowale, Patrick Gurd (R, FB) |
Note: Gurd switched from tight end to fullback — now properly listed. The #3 RB spot is wide open after Laube had a quiet game. Hemby and Ogunbowale barely played — they need a big game vs. Houston to stay alive.
Wide Receiver (WR) — The Pass Catchers
| Status | Previous Prediction | Updated Prediction |
|---|---|---|
| Starters | Tre Tucker, Jalen Nailor, Malik Benson (R) | Tre Tucker, Jalen Nailor, Jack Bech |
| Backups | Jack Bech, Dareke Young, E.J. Williams (R) | Malik Benson (R), E.J. Williams (R), Shedrick Jackson |
| Cut | Dont’e Thornton Jr., Chase Roberts (R), Shedrick Jackson, Phillip Dorsett II, Deven Thompkins | Dont’e Thornton Jr., Chase Roberts (R), Dareke Young, Phillip Dorsett II, Deven Thompkins, Noah Brown, Brandon Johnson |
Important Callout: WR is the messiest position to predict! The coaches keep adding new guys. Only Tucker, Bech, and Benson caught multiple passes vs. Cardinals. Williams and Roberts were named "camp standouts" by Coach Kubiak. Young is a special teams ace, but Jackson got more playing time last week.
Tight End (TE) — The Hybrid Blockers/Catchers
| Status | Previous Prediction | Updated Prediction |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | Brock Bowers | Brock Bowers |
| Backups | Michael Mayer, Ian Thomas | Michael Mayer, Ian Thomas |
| Cut | Carter Runyon, Albert Okwuegbunam, Chris Myarick | Carter Runyon, Albert Okwuegbunam, Chris Myarick |
No changes here. Runyon is injured. Thomas played well (good blocks + a catch). The other two didn’t stand out.
Offensive Line (OL) — The Bodyguards
| Status | Previous Prediction | Updated Prediction |
|---|---|---|
| Starters | Kolton Miller, Spencer Burford, Tyler Linderbaum, Jackson Powers-Johnson, DJ Glaze | Same 5 starters |
| Backups | Charles Grant, Caleb Rogers, Jordan Meredith, Trey Zuhn III (R) | Charles Grant, Caleb Rogers, Atonio Mafi, Trey Zuhn III (R) |
| Cut | Dalton Wagner, Will Putnam, Atonio Mafi, Kamar Missouri (R), Justin Pickett (R), Isaiah Jatta (R), Niklas Henning (R) | Dalton Wagner, Will Putnam, Jordan Meredith, Kamar Missouri (R), Justin Pickett (R), Isaiah Jatta (R), Niklas Henning (R), Braeden Daniels |
Important Callout: Meredith had a rough game — now on the bubble. Mafi struggled in pass protection but was good in run blocking. Zuhn (rookie) would be the backup center (the guy who snaps the ball), with Powers-Johnson able to slide over if needed.
Edge Rusher (DE/OLB) — The QB Hunters
| Status | Previous Prediction | Updated Prediction |
|---|---|---|
| Starters | Maxx Crosby, Malcolm Koonce | Maxx Crosby, Malcolm Koonce |
| Backups | Kwity Paye, Keryon Crawford (R), Cian Slone (R) | Kwity Paye, Keryon Crawford (R), Cian Slone (R) |
| Cut | Brennan Jackson, Jahfari Harvey, Patrick Johnson | Jahfari Harvey, Patrick Johnson |
Tough break: Brennan Jackson got hurt and went on IR — season over. He played well! Slone and Johnson also played well, showing great depth. But the team invested heavily in Paye and Crawford this offseason — at least one of them won’t make the team despite playing well.
Defensive Tackle (DT) — The Run Stoppers
| Status | Previous Prediction | Updated Prediction |
|---|---|---|
| Starters | Thomas Booker IV, Adam Butler | Tonka Hemingway, Adam Butler |
| Backups | Tonka Hemingway, Jonah Laulu, JJ Pegues, Benito Jones | Thomas Booker IV, Jonah Laulu, JJ Pegues, Folorunso Fatukasi |
| Cut | Brandon Cleveland (R), Gary Smith II (R), Treven Ma’ae | Brandon Cleveland (R), Gary Smith II (R), Treven Ma’ae |
| Already Cut | — | Benito Jones |
Important Callout: "Anyone’s guess" at this position! The Raiders desperately need a run-stuffer (someone who clogs the middle). That’s why they added Fatukasi — predicted to make the team. Expect a surprise on cutdown day.
Linebacker (LB) — The Tackle Machines
| Status | Previous Prediction | Updated Prediction |
|---|---|---|
| Starters | Nakobe Dean, Quay Walker | Nakobe Dean, Quay Walker |
| Backups | Cody Lindenberg, Tommy Eichenberg, Segun Olubi | Cody Lindenberg, Tommy Eichenberg, Segun Olubi |
| Cut | Xavian Sorey Jr. (R), Buddy Johnson, Cameron McGrone | Xavian Sorey Jr. (R), Buddy Johnson, Cameron McGrone |
No changes. Lindenberg played well, but no other backup stood out.
Cornerback (CB) — The Cover Guys
| Status | Previous Prediction | Updated Prediction |
|---|---|---|
| Starters | Eric Stokes, Darien Porter, Taron Johnson | Eric Stokes, Darien Porter, Taron Johnson |
| Backups | Hezekiah Masses (R), Jermod McCoy (R) | Hezekiah Masses (R), Jermod McCoy (R), Greedy Vance |
| Cut | Decamerion Richardson, Greedy Vance, Chigozie Anusiem, Caleb Offord (R), Devyn Perkins (R) | Decamerion Richardson, Chigozie Anusiem, Caleb Offord (R), Devyn Perkins (R) |
Important Callout: Vance played great last week — earned a backup spot. Richardson has been "solid in camp" per reports, but didn’t play vs. Cardinals. This week vs. Houston is huge for him.
Safety (S) — The Last Line of Defense
| Status | Previous Prediction | Updated Prediction |
|---|---|---|
| Starters | Jeremy Chinn, Isaiah Pola-Mao | Jeremy Chinn, Isaiah Pola-Mao |
| Backups | Treydan Stukes (R), Dalton Johnson (R) | Treydan Stukes (R), Dalton Johnson (R) |
| Cut | Tristin McCollum, Devin Lafayette (R) | Tristin McCollum, Devin Lafayette (R) |
Important Callout: Safety room seems set — unless they decide to keep an extra cornerback instead. If so, Pola-Mao or Johnson would be the odd ones out. But Pola-Mao barely played (starter treatment), and Johnson played well. Secondary is murky!
Specialists — The Kicking Game
| Role | Previous Prediction | Updated Prediction |
|---|---|---|
| Punter | AJ Cole III | AJ Cole III |
| Kicker | Matt Gay | Matt Gay |
| Long Snapper | Tyler Duzansky (R) | Alex Ward |
| Cut | Kansei Matsuzawa (R), Alex Ward | Kansei Matsuzawa (R), Tyler Duzansky (R) |
Important Callout: Matsuzawa struggled — Gay wins the kicker job. Matsuzawa is IPP eligible (International Player Pathway) — he can have a "redshirt year" on the practice squad if unclaimed. Long snapper flipped to Ward because he’s higher on the official depth chart.
Summary: The Big Picture
- QB room shrinking to 2? Mendoza’s comfort + O’Connell’s rough game = possible roster crunch
- WR chaos continues — most volatile position, new names weekly
- DT is a total mystery — Fatukasi addition signals run-defense priority
- Edge rusher depth is insane — good players will get cut
- Special teams settled — Gay wins kicker battle, Ward takes long snapper
- Preseason Game 2 vs. Texans is CRITICAL for bubble guys: Richardson (CB), Hemby/Ogunbowale (RB), Meredith/Mafi (OL), Jackson (WR)
FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered
1. What does "R" mean next to a player’s name?
"R" = Rookie — a player in their very first NFL season. They’re usually trying to prove they belong.
2. Why would a team keep only 2 quarterbacks?
Most teams keep 3, but the 3rd QB rarely plays. If Mendoza (rookie backup) looks ready, the Raiders might use that 3rd spot for a position where they need more depth (like WR or DT).
3. What’s the "International Player Pathway" (IPP) thing with Matsuzawa?
The NFL lets teams sign one international player who doesn’t count against the 53-man roster or practice squad limits. If Matsuzawa clears waivers (no other team claims him), he gets a "redshirt year" — a free year to develop without taking a roster spot.
4. What’s the difference between "Cut" and "Injured Reserve" (IR)?
- Cut = Released entirely. Can sign with any team.
- IR = Hurt player stays on team but can’t play all season (unless designated for return later). Jackson (edge rusher) went to IR — his season is over.
5. When is the final 53-man roster due?
Typically late August (after all 3 preseason games). The Raiders have one more preseason game vs. Houston before final cuts.
Bottom Line: Roster building is like a puzzle where pieces keep changing shape. After Game 1, the picture is clearer at some spots (QB, Kicker) and muddier at others (WR, DT, Secondary). Game 2 vs. Houston will settle several battles!